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CBSE Class X
English Language & Literature
Question Paper
From previous CBSE Board Exam questions
Code: HC88F5Questions: 38Maximum Marks: 172Generated: 2026-06-15 13:05
Selections used
SourcePrevious-year board
SubjectEnglish Language & Literature
LessonsNelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom
Questions selected38
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Q1. [6]
Answer in about 100-120 words : 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion'. Do you agree? Elaborate on the basis of the chapter "Nelson Mandela - Long walk to freedom".
Previously asked in: 2023 2/4/1 Q10(b)
Q2. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
  1. (i) 'Quiet rage' refers to the tigers ………….. [1]
    1. (a) helplessness
    2. (b) he has not been able to hunt
    3. (c) his prey has not come to the water hole
    4. (d) he is not free
  2. (ii) He is lurking in shadows because ……….. [1]
  3. (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately : It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for 'pads of velvet' because ……………….. (clue-explain how metaphor applies here). [1]
  4. (iv) Find a word from the extract which means - to walk with measured, stiff or haughty strides : [1]
    1. (a) steps
    2. (b) lurking
    3. (c) pads
    4. (d) stalk
  5. (v) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE : The tiger is stealthily waiting for the deer to come to the water hole. [1]
Previously asked in: 2023 2/4/1 Q7(B)
Q3. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Explain the contrast created by the words, 'stalks' and 'few steps of his cage'. [1]
  2. (ii) Which of the following best describes the tiger's feelings in the context? [1]
    1. (A) anger
    2. (B) conflicted
    3. (C) pessimism
    4. (D) apprehension
  3. (iii) Comment in about 40 words on the poet's use of imagery in the above extract. [2]
  4. (iv) Which word in the stanza means the same as 'clear and bright'? [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/3/1 Q7(a)
Q4. [5]
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa's first democratic non-racial government.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) What do you infer from the following statement? "The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African Soil." [1]
  2. (ii) Explain in about 40 words the effective shift from white supremacy to a rainbow gathering. [2]
  3. (iii) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'pleasantly besieged' in the given sentence from that extract? [1]
  4. (iv) State true or false with reference to the given extract. In the past the 'amphitheatre' had been a seat for theatrical performances. [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/3/1 Q6(a)
Q5. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions, in 100-120 words: A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been asked to present an analysis of Valli's desire and Mandela's vision and how they are respectively fulfilled. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both Valli and Mandela. You may begin like this: One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela ______ however, (Reference – Nelson Mandela – A Long Walk to Freedom & Madam Rides a Bus)
Previously asked in: 2024 2/2/1 Q10(a)
Q6. [6]
In the chapter 'A Baker from Goa' the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond memories. In about 120 words write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of the narrator in 'A Baker from Goa' to that of Nelson Mandela. You may begin this way: Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by..... Reference: A Baker from Goa and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q10(i)
Q7. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water pole Where plump deer pass. He should be snarling around houses At the jungle's edge, Baring his white fangs, his claws, Terrorising the village!
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) State any one point of contrast between the tiger in the zoo and in its natural habitat. [1]
  2. (ii) When the speaker suggests that the tiger should be "Snarling around houses at the jungle's edge"? What does he insinuate about the tiger's natural behaviour and habitat? [1]
  3. (iii) The poet's skillful use of imagery effectively depicts the confinement and frustration of the tiger. Elaborate in about 40 words. [2]
  4. (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'quiet rage' in the given sentence from the extract? The few steps of his cage on pads of velvet quiet in his 'quiet rage.' [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q7(A)
Q8. [5]
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the 20th century a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and created a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhuman societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentienth century, and my own eighth decade as a man, that system has been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said; "I was overwhelmed with a sense of history." [1]
  2. (ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that: [1]
    1. (A) confirms the education of the Blacks.
    2. (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
    3. (C) recollects the bitter experiences.
    4. (D) focuses on the personality development.
  3. (iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created? [2]
  4. (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'patched up' in the given sentence from the extract: "...the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences..." [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q6(A)
Q9. [5]
It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the true meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give up their lives for an idea. I have seen men and women stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Read the given extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) What effect does the experience as described in the lines below have on the speaker? Time and again, I have seen men and women risk their lives for an idea. [1]
  2. (ii) Select one inference about the idea of courage from the given context : I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. [1]
    1. (A) being fearless
    2. (B) absence of fear
    3. (C) feeding your fears
    4. (D) ability to overcome fear
  3. (iii) Answer in about 40 words, with reference to the extract : According to the author, what does true courage entail? How does this perspective differ from a common misconception about courage? [2]
  4. (iv) Fill in the blank with the correct phrase from the bracket in the context of the given extract : Men stood up to torture showing strength and resilience that is ________ (impossible to understand / seeped in reality). [1]
Previously asked in: 2025 2/6/1 Q6(a)
Q10. [6]
Answer in about 100-120 words : What distinguishes the portrayal of the tiger in the poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo' from the depiction of the tiger in the poem 'How to tell Wild Animals' ?
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q10(b)
Q11. [3]
Is it ethical to enclose wild animals within cages ? Discuss with reference to the poem, 'A Tiger in the Zoo'.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q8 (iii)
Q12. [3]
In what way did Nelson Mandela's yearning for freedom alter the course of his life ? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q8 (ii)
Q13. [2]
Give instances from the poem to justify [the world the poet envisions].
Previously asked in: 2022 2/3/1 Q6 (iii)
Q14. [2]
[The narrator compared humans unfavourably to animals. / Humans can learn from animals. Justify.] (A Tiger in the Zoo / related text)
Previously asked in: 2022 2/1/1 Q6 (iii)
Q15. [2]
Walt Whitman speaks of the human race with a tinge of sarcasm. Which are the two reasons that you agree with ? (Animals)
Previously asked in: 2022 2/2/1 Q6 (iv)
Q16. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage On pads of velvet quiet In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option :
  1. (i) 'He' is in a rage because he is [1]
    1. (a) hungry
    2. (b) tied
    3. (c) thirsty
    4. (d) in a cage
  2. (ii) He is lurking in the shadow because _______. [1]
  3. (iii) The above lines express the tiger's _______. [1]
    1. (a) resignation
    2. (b) fear
    3. (c) anger
    4. (d) acceptance
  4. (iv) Complete the sentence appropriately : It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for 'pads of velvet' – because _______. (Clue : explain how metaphor is applied here.) [1]
  5. (v) The contrast in the above extract is between life in the forest and life in the [1]
    1. (a) circus
    2. (b) national park
    3. (c) cave
    4. (d) zoo
Previously asked in: 2023 2/6/1 Q7(b)
Q17. [3]
State any three disadvantages that the tiger faces inside a cage.
Previously asked in: 2023 2/5/1 Q8 (d)
Q18. [5]
To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said : Today, all of us do, by our presence here ..... confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
  1. (i) A society that __________ was born out of human disaster. [1]
    1. (a) all humanity would be proud of
    2. (b) was full of extraordinary human disaster
    3. (c) was full of outlaws and fighters
    4. (d) hosts nations on their soil
  2. (ii) The former outlaws were given the privilege of _________. [1]
    1. (a) getting citizenship of their country
    2. (b) participating in a trade conclave
    3. (c) finalizing the foreign policy
    4. (d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil
  3. (iii) The speaker was overwhelmed with the sense of _________. [1]
    1. (a) gratitude
    2. (b) achievement
    3. (c) happiness
    4. (d) charity
  4. (iv) State whether the following statement is True or False: The common victory was when South Africa did not become an independent nation. [1]
  5. (v) Select the word from the extract that means 'granting/bestowing'. [1]
    1. (a) conferring
    2. (b) confident
    3. (c) conference
    4. (d) configuring
Previously asked in: 2023 2/5/1 Q6(A)
Q19. [6]
Mandela said, 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.' Discuss.
Previously asked in: 2023 2/2/1 Q10(b)
Q20. [5]
He hears the last voice at night. The patrolling cars, And stares with his brilliant eyes At the brilliant stars. He stalks in his vivid stripes A few steps of his cage.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
  1. (i) Whose is the last voice heard by the tiger? [1]
    1. (a) police jeep
    2. (b) patrolling cars
    3. (c) watchmen
    4. (d) roar of lion
  2. (ii) Complete the sentence appropriately. It is clear that repetition is the poetic device used for 'his brilliant eyes / At the brilliant stars' because _________. (Clue: explain how repetition applies here) [1]
  3. (iii) The main contrasting ideas in this extract are [1]
    1. (a) tiger and deer.
    2. (b) cruelty and sympathy.
    3. (c) confinement and freedom.
    4. (d) master and slave.
  4. (iv) The image of the tiger stalking in his vivid stripes creates an image of [1]
    1. (a) cowardice.
    2. (b) frustration.
    3. (c) lethargy.
    4. (d) purposefulness.
  5. (v) State whether the following statement is True or False: The poem uses staring at the sky to symbolize the freedom the tiger yearns for. [1]
Previously asked in: 2023 2/2/1 Q7(B)
Q21. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage He should be lurking in shadow Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass.
Attempt any one of the given two extracts:
  1. (i) Complete the sentence appropriately. The vivid stripes refer to the ______. [1]
  2. (ii) Which word from the extract is the opposite of 'loud'? [1]
  3. (iii) The use of the phrase 'pads of velvet' means [1]
    1. (a) neck
    2. (b) tail
    3. (c) skin
    4. (d) paws
  4. (iv) State whether the following statement is True or False: The confinement of the cramped space of the cage has restricted the tiger's steps. [1]
  5. (v) The tiger was lurking in shadow _________. [1]
    1. (a) to catch its prey
    2. (b) as the cage was dark
    3. (c) as the velvet was quiet
    4. (d) as he was in a rage
Previously asked in: 2023 2/1/1 Q7(b)
Q22. [5]
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!
Read the following extract and answer the questions:
  1. (i) State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given context. [1]
  2. (ii) State True or False: [Statement about whether Mandela intends to mean the well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa.] Justify your answer in about 40 words with reference to the extract. [1]
  3. (iii) Which phrase would correctly replace the underlined portion of the given sentence from the extract? The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. [2]
  4. (iv) Mandela intends to mean the well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa. State True or False and justify your answer. [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/5/1 Q6(a)
Q23. [3]
Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says, "We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil." What is the significance of this statement with reference to the political system that prevailed before this? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2024 2/4/1 Q8 (i)
Q24. [5]
But he's locked in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Why is the tiger stalking the length of his cage? [1]
  2. (ii) What is the significance of the use of the word 'concrete' to describe the concrete cell where the tiger is kept and how does it contrast with the tiger's presence in its natural habitat? Answer in about 40 words. [2]
  3. (iii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option: The lines from the poem tell us that the tiger is __________ . [1]
    1. (A) enjoying his time in the cell
    2. (B) being indifferent to visitors because it is a daily routine for him
    3. (C) not as strong as his counterpart in the jungle
    4. (D) wanting to be free from the cage
  4. (iv) Identify the type of literary device used in the line: "His strength behind bars" [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/4/1 Q7(a)
Q25. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions in 100–120 words: Explore the contrasting images of the tiger in 'A Tiger in the Zoo' and the tiger in 'How to Tell Wild Animals'.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/2/1 Q10 (b)
Q26. [3]
The transition from the apartheid system in South Africa to a new era of equality reflects broader historical trends in the struggle for human rights and social justice. Elaborate. (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/2/1 Q8 (i)
Q27. [6]
Comment on the reactions and feelings of Lencho and Nelson Mandela when they faced challenges in their lives. (A Letter to God and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/3/1 Q10(a)
Q28. [3]
In what ways does the contrast between the tiger's natural habitat and its confinement in a concrete cell enhance the poem's exploration of captivity and its consequences for wild animals? (A Tiger in the Zoo)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/3/1 Q8 (ii)
Q29. [3]
Mandela in his speech says, ''The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people.'' Explain the significance of the word ''wound'' as used by Mandela. (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/1/1 Q8 (i)
Q30. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Identify and name any one figure of speech in the above extract. [2]
  2. (ii) Fill in the blank with one word. The tiger's stalking on 'pads of velvet' suggests a movement that is ___________. [1]
  3. (iii) Based on the given lines from the poem, which words would best describe the feelings of the tiger ? [1]
    1. A Calm and content
    2. B Both subdued and angry
    3. C Both frustrated and happy
    4. D Both angry and famished
  4. (iv) Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the first four lines of the given extract. [1]
    1. A The people along the sand All turn and look one way They turn their back on the land They look at the sea all day
    2. B Along the sand, the people All turn and look one way They turn back on the sand They look at the sea all day
    3. C The people along the sand Look one way and all turn Their backs on the land They look at the sea all day
    4. D The people along the sand They turn their back on the land They look one way At the sea all day.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/1/1 Q7(b)
Q31. [5]
Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Which of the following options justifies the statement made by Mandela, "We, who were outlaws …" ? [1]
    1. (A) The international leaders who came to attend the ceremony
    2. (B) Due to Apartheid, many countries broke diplomatic relations with South Africa
    3. (C) The Commonwealth countries and their people
    4. (D) The people who fought in the Anglo-Boer War
  2. (ii) Complete the sentence appropriately: Mandela thanked all the distinguished international guests because ____________. [1]
  3. (iii) In the above lines, Mandela mentions 'extraordinary human disaster'. What is the significance of this phrase in his speech? [2]
  4. (iv) The tone of Mandela in the above excerpt is: 1. unifying 2. determined 3. aggressive 4. pessimistic 5. hopeless Select the correct option: [1]
    1. (A) 1, 2 and 4
    2. (B) 2 and 4
    3. (C) 1 and 2
    4. (D) 4 and 5
Previously asked in: 2026 2/2/1 Q6(a)
Q32. [3]
Why does Mandela mention that he was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father, and a husband ? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2026 2/3/1 Q8 (i)
Q33. [5]
But he's locked in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Complete the sentence suitably : The tiger ignores the visitors because ___________. [1]
  2. (ii) The above lines juxtapose the tiger's natural instincts with its caged existence. Justify. [2]
  3. (iii) What mood is created by the poet in the above lines ? [1]
    1. (A) sympathetic and thoughtful
    2. (B) angry and violent
    3. (C) cheerful and happy
    4. (D) exciting and fun
  4. (iv) Fill in the blank with the correct option from the brackets. The length of his cage highlights the __________ (vast space/limited space/free space) in which the tiger is confined. [1]
Previously asked in: 2026 2/3/1 Q7(a)
Q34. [5]
"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die".
Read the given extract and answer the questions:
  1. (i) What is the main ideal Mandela is talking about? [1]
    1. (A) economic prosperity
    2. (B) representative and free society
    3. (C) absolute power
    4. (D) finishing racism
  2. (ii) How does the statement reflect Mandela's commitment to justice? (Answer in about 40 words) [2]
  3. (iii) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket: Nelson's vision was not simply to reverse the oppression but to end it completely as he wishes to _______ (fight / appease) all forms of domination in which all persons live with equal opportunities. [1]
  4. (iv) The phrase "prepared to die" shows Mandela's: [1]
    1. (A) anxiety
    2. (B) desperation
    3. (C) passion
    4. (D) uprightness
Previously asked in: 2026 2/5/1 Q6(B)
Q35. [6]
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words: Examine the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Previously asked in: 2026 2/1/1 Q10(I)
Q36. [5]
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given:
  1. I What is the tone Nelson Mandela is UNLIKELY to have used in his speech? [1]
    1. A inspirational
    2. B assertive
    3. C conflicted
    4. D direct
  2. II According to Mandela, emancipation is not merely political. Elaborate. [2]
  3. III Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket: Mandela's speech swings between references to the past and a ________ (bleak/promising) future. [1]
  4. IV With reference to the extract explain the sentence, "The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." [1]
Previously asked in: 2026 2/1/1 Q6(A)
Q37. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words : Evaluate the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Previously asked in: 2026 2/4/1 Q10 (b)
Q38. [3]
What is the vision of freedom that comes through the speech of Nelson Mandela ?
Previously asked in: 2026 2/4/1 Q8 (v)
CBSE Class X
English Language & Literature
Answer Key
From previous CBSE Board Exam questions
Code: HC88F5Questions: 38Maximum Marks: 172Generated: 2026-06-15 13:05
Q1. [6]
Answer in about 100-120 words : 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion'. Do you agree? Elaborate on the basis of the chapter "Nelson Mandela - Long walk to freedom".
Previously asked in: 2023 2/4/1 Q10(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Yes, I completely agree with this statement. Nelson Mandela, in Long Walk to Freedom, powerfully illustrates that hatred based on colour or background is a learned behaviour, not an inborn one.

Mandela himself was born free — free to run in fields, swim in streams, and live without fear. It was only when he grew up that he discovered his freedom had been taken away by the apartheid system. He was not born hating white people; he learned about racial oppression through experience.

Mandela further says, "The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed." A man who takes away another's freedom becomes "a prisoner of hatred, locked behind bars of prejudice." This shows hatred is a cage people build around themselves.

His conclusion is hopeful: "If people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love." Love and humanity are natural; hatred is taught.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q2. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow :
  1. (i) 'Quiet rage' refers to the tigers ………….. [1]
    1. (a) helplessness
    2. (b) he has not been able to hunt
    3. (c) his prey has not come to the water hole
    4. (d) he is not free
  2. (ii) He is lurking in shadows because ……….. [1]
  3. (iii) Complete the sentence appropriately : It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for 'pads of velvet' because ……………….. (clue-explain how metaphor applies here). [1]
  4. (iv) Find a word from the extract which means - to walk with measured, stiff or haughty strides : [1]
    1. (a) steps
    2. (b) lurking
    3. (c) pads
    4. (d) stalk
  5. (v) State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE : The tiger is stealthily waiting for the deer to come to the water hole. [1]
Previously asked in: 2023 2/4/1 Q7(B)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (d) he is not free

(ii) He is lurking in shadows because he should be in the wild, hiding near the water hole to hunt plump deer — that is his natural instinct and habitat.

(iii) It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for 'pads of velvet' because the tiger's paws (pads) are directly compared to velvet — a soft, smooth fabric — without using 'like' or 'as', thus transferring the quality of softness and silence to the tiger's feet.

(iv) (d) stalk

(v) TRUE — The tiger should be lurking in shadow, sliding through long grass near the water hole, stealthily waiting for the plump deer to pass.

Source: "A Tiger in the Zoo" — Stanza 1

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Explanation
Q3. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Explain the contrast created by the words, 'stalks' and 'few steps of his cage'. [1]
  2. (ii) Which of the following best describes the tiger's feelings in the context? [1]
    1. (A) anger
    2. (B) conflicted
    3. (C) pessimism
    4. (D) apprehension
  3. (iii) Comment in about 40 words on the poet's use of imagery in the above extract. [2]
  4. (iv) Which word in the stanza means the same as 'clear and bright'? [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/3/1 Q7(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) "Stalks" suggests the tiger's powerful, majestic movement, as if roaming a vast jungle. But "few steps of his cage" immediately reveals his confinement. The contrast highlights how his natural grandeur is cruelly limited by captivity.

(ii) (A) anger

(iii) The poet uses visual imagery — "vivid stripes" paints a striking picture of the tiger's bright coat. Tactile imagery is created by "pads of velvet quiet," suggesting the softness of his paws. Together, these images highlight the tiger's natural beauty trapped within a cage, making the reader feel both admiration and sympathy.

(iv) Vivid

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, Stanza 1

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Explanation
Q4. [5]
Tenth May dawned bright and clear. For the past few days, I had been pleasantly besieged by dignitaries and world leaders who were coming to pay their respects before the inauguration. The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. The ceremonies took place in the lovely sandstone amphitheatre formed by the Union buildings in Pretoria. For decades this had been the seat of white supremacy, and now it was the site of rainbow gathering of different colours and nations for the installation of South Africa's first democratic non-racial government.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) What do you infer from the following statement? "The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African Soil." [1]
  2. (ii) Explain in about 40 words the effective shift from white supremacy to a rainbow gathering. [2]
  3. (iii) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'pleasantly besieged' in the given sentence from that extract? [1]
  4. (iv) State true or false with reference to the given extract. In the past the 'amphitheatre' had been a seat for theatrical performances. [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/3/1 Q6(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) This statement infers that Mandela's inauguration was a historic event of global significance — the world's leaders came to South Africa in unprecedented numbers, showing international support for the end of apartheid and the birth of democracy.

(ii) For decades, the Union Buildings in Pretoria symbolised white supremacy — only one race held power. Now, the same site became a "rainbow gathering," uniting people of all colours and nations to celebrate South Africa's first democratic, non-racial government. It marks a powerful transformation from exclusion to inclusion.

(iii) 'Pleasantly besieged' can be correctly substituted with "happily surrounded" (or "warmly overwhelmed").

(iv) False. The amphitheatre formed by the Union Buildings in Pretoria was the seat of white supremacy for decades — it was a centre of political power, not a venue for theatrical performances.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q5. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions, in 100-120 words: A desire is more personal whereas a vision has broader connotations. You have been asked to present an analysis of Valli's desire and Mandela's vision and how they are respectively fulfilled. Write this presentation draft including your insights, in about 120 words, comparing the approaches of both Valli and Mandela. You may begin like this: One acknowledges that both, Valli and Mandela ______ however, (Reference – Nelson Mandela – A Long Walk to Freedom & Madam Rides a Bus)
Previously asked in: 2024 2/2/1 Q10(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:13 · grounding rag
Model Answer

One acknowledges that both Valli and Mandela harboured deep longings for freedom; however, their desires differed greatly in scope and purpose.

Valli's desire was intensely personal — an eight-year-old girl's overwhelming wish to ride the bus to town, even just once. She planned meticulously: gathering information discreetly, calculating fares, and saving thirty paise each way. Her desire was fulfilled through individual determination and careful preparation, without anyone's help.

Mandela's vision, by contrast, was broader and selfless — freedom not for himself alone, but for all South Africans oppressed by apartheid. He sacrificed personal comforts, dedicating his life to this collective cause. His vision was fulfilled through decades of struggle, culminating in South Africa's first democratic inauguration.

Thus, Valli's personal desire was fulfilled by resourcefulness, while Mandela's expansive vision was realised through courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to justice for all.

Source: Madam Rides the Bus, Chapter 7; Nelson Mandela – A Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q6. [6]
In the chapter 'A Baker from Goa' the narrator talks about his childhood in Goa and his fond memories. In about 120 words write a presentation draft comparing the childhood of the narrator in 'A Baker from Goa' to that of Nelson Mandela. You may begin this way: Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by..... Reference: A Baker from Goa and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q10(i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Childhood memories remind us of the days gone by, shaping who we become.

The narrator in 'A Baker from Goa' recalls a carefree, joyful childhood filled with the aroma of fresh bread, the jingle of the baker's bamboo staff, and the excitement of rushing out to greet him each morning. His memories are warm and festive — bread was central to every celebration, and the baker was a beloved figure in the community. His childhood was free, happy, and rooted in the rich traditions of Goan-Portuguese culture.

In contrast, Nelson Mandela grew up under the oppressive apartheid system in South Africa, where people were separated by race. He was not born free. His childhood gradually awakened him to injustice, and his hunger for freedom grew with experience. He witnessed suffering that shaped his extraordinary courage and character.

Thus, while the narrator's childhood is one of sweetness and nostalgia, Mandela's is one of awakening and resistance — both, however, deeply shaped by their surroundings.

Source: First Flight — 'A Baker from Goa' (Chapter 7); 'Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' (Chapter 2)

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Explanation
Q7. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass Near the water pole Where plump deer pass. He should be snarling around houses At the jungle's edge, Baring his white fangs, his claws, Terrorising the village!
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) State any one point of contrast between the tiger in the zoo and in its natural habitat. [1]
  2. (ii) When the speaker suggests that the tiger should be "Snarling around houses at the jungle's edge"? What does he insinuate about the tiger's natural behaviour and habitat? [1]
  3. (iii) The poet's skillful use of imagery effectively depicts the confinement and frustration of the tiger. Elaborate in about 40 words. [2]
  4. (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'quiet rage' in the given sentence from the extract? The few steps of his cage on pads of velvet quiet in his 'quiet rage.' [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q7(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) In the zoo, the tiger paces restlessly in a small cage; in its natural habitat, it would be freely lurking in shadows and sliding through long grass near a watering hole.

(ii) The speaker insinuates that the tiger is a powerful predator by nature, whose habitat is the jungle's edge. Terrorising villages is its natural, instinctive behaviour — not a sign of cruelty, but of its wild, free existence.

(iii) The poet uses vivid imagery to highlight the tiger's confinement and suppressed anger. "Few steps of his cage" shows its cramped space. "Pads of velvet quiet" and "quiet rage" suggest silent, bottled-up fury. Contrasting images — lurking in grass, baring fangs — show what freedom looks like, making the captivity more painful.

(iv) "Suppressed anger" (or "silent fury") would correctly substitute 'quiet rage', as the tiger is inwardly furious but outwardly calm, unable to express its anger freely within the cage.

Source: "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris, First Flight, Chapter 1 (Poem)

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Explanation
Q8. [5]
On the day of the inauguration, I was overwhelmed with a sense of history. In the first decade of the 20th century a few years after the bitter Anglo-Boer war and before my own birth, the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences and created a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of their own land. The structure they created formed the basis of one of the harshest, most inhuman societies the world has ever known. Now, in the last decade of the twentienth century, and my own eighth decade as a man, that system has been overturned forever and replaced by one that recognised the rights and freedoms of all peoples, regardless of the colour of their skin.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Explain the feelings of the narrator when he said; "I was overwhelmed with a sense of history." [1]
  2. (ii) The system of racial domination has been replaced by a system that: [1]
    1. (A) confirms the education of the Blacks.
    2. (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.
    3. (C) recollects the bitter experiences.
    4. (D) focuses on the personality development.
  3. (iii) Comment on the kind of society apartheid had created? [2]
  4. (iv) Which phrase would correctly substitute 'patched up' in the given sentence from the extract: "...the white skinned people of South Africa patched up their differences..." [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/1/1 Q6(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) On the day of his inauguration as South Africa's first black President, Mandela felt deeply emotional. He was moved by the weight of all past events — decades of racial oppression — that had finally led to that historic moment of freedom and equality.

(ii) (B) recognises the rights and freedoms of all people.

(iii) Apartheid, created in the first decade of the 20th century after the Anglo-Boer war, established a system of racial domination against the dark-skinned people of South Africa. The structure it created formed the basis of one of the harshest and most inhuman societies the world had ever known, where people were oppressed solely on the basis of the colour of their skin.

(iv) The phrase that correctly substitutes 'patched up' is "resolved" (i.e., settled or made peace with their differences).

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Extract — Inauguration passage

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Explanation
Q9. [5]
It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the true meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give up their lives for an idea. I have seen men and women stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Read the given extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) What effect does the experience as described in the lines below have on the speaker? Time and again, I have seen men and women risk their lives for an idea. [1]
  2. (ii) Select one inference about the idea of courage from the given context : I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. [1]
    1. (A) being fearless
    2. (B) absence of fear
    3. (C) feeding your fears
    4. (D) ability to overcome fear
  3. (iii) Answer in about 40 words, with reference to the extract : According to the author, what does true courage entail? How does this perspective differ from a common misconception about courage? [2]
  4. (iv) Fill in the blank with the correct phrase from the bracket in the context of the given extract : Men stood up to torture showing strength and resilience that is ________ (impossible to understand / seeped in reality). [1]
Previously asked in: 2025 2/6/1 Q6(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) The experience of seeing men and women repeatedly risk and give up their lives for an idea taught the speaker the true meaning of courage and deeply inspired him.

(ii) (D) ability to overcome fear

(iii) According to Mandela, true courage means conquering fear, not the absence of it. A brave person still feels afraid but chooses to overcome that fear. The common misconception is that a courageous person feels no fear at all, but Mandela rejects this, saying it is the triumph over fear that defines real bravery.

(iv) impossible to understand

Source: Nelson Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom, Extract

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Explanation
Q10. [6]
Answer in about 100-120 words : What distinguishes the portrayal of the tiger in the poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo' from the depiction of the tiger in the poem 'How to tell Wild Animals' ?
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q10(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

'A Tiger in the Zoo' by Leslie Norris portrays the tiger with deep sympathy and seriousness. The tiger is shown as a captive animal, pacing his cage in rage and helplessness, longing for his natural habitat. He is majestic yet imprisoned — his strength suppressed, his freedom stolen. The poet evokes pathos as the tiger stares at the brilliant stars with his "brilliant eyes" at night, dreaming of freedom. The tone is solemn and melancholic.

'How to Tell Wild Animals' by Carolyn Wells, in sharp contrast, portrays the tiger in a humorous, light-hearted way. The tiger is described comically — if a large beast pounces on you and tears you limb from limb, you know it's a Bengal Tiger! The tone is satirical and playful, treating a dangerous animal as a source of wit and amusement.

Thus, while one poem highlights the tiger's tragedy of captivity with empathy, the other uses the tiger for comic effect.

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Explanation
Q11. [3]
Is it ethical to enclose wild animals within cages ? Discuss with reference to the poem, 'A Tiger in the Zoo'.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q8 (iii)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

No, it is not ethical to enclose wild animals in cages. In the poem A Tiger in the Zoo, the poet Leslie Norris shows the tiger pacing in his cage, feeling helpless and enraged. The tiger should ideally be lurking in the shadows of the forest, terrorising villages, and sliding through long grass near water holes — living freely in his natural habitat. Caged in a zoo, he ignores visitors and stares at the brilliant stars with his quiet rage. Confining wild animals denies them their natural instincts, freedom, and dignity, which is both cruel and unethical.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, First Flight (Poem)

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Explanation
Q12. [3]
In what way did Nelson Mandela's yearning for freedom alter the course of his life ? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/5/1 Q8 (ii)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Nelson Mandela's hunger for freedom transformed his entire life. As a young boy, he felt free simply running in the fields; as a student, freedom meant staying out at night. However, as he grew older, he saw that his own freedom was inseparably linked to the freedom of his people. This realisation turned him from a frightened young man into a bold freedom fighter. He joined the African National Congress, courted imprisonment, suffered, and sacrificed — dedicating his life to the struggle for justice and equality for all South Africans.

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Think About It (Q.5)

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Explanation
Q13. [2]
Give instances from the poem to justify [the world the poet envisions].
Previously asked in: 2022 2/3/1 Q6 (iii)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag

The question asks for instances from a poem, but the source passages provided are all from Nelson Mandela's prose piece "Long Walk to Freedom" (Chapter 2), not a poem. There is no poem or poetic text in the passages given.

Model Answer

The source passages provided do not contain a poem. The passages are from Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk to Freedom." Therefore, this question cannot be answered from the given material.

(If this question refers to a poem from a different chapter — such as "A Tiger in the Zoo" or another prescribed poem — please share the relevant passage so the question can be answered accurately.)

Explanation
Q14. [2]
[The narrator compared humans unfavourably to animals. / Humans can learn from animals. Justify.] (A Tiger in the Zoo / related text)
Previously asked in: 2022 2/1/1 Q6 (iii)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

In the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo," the tiger in the zoo is shown as restless and imprisoned, while in the wild it would move freely and hunt naturally. The narrator implies that humans, by caging the tiger for entertainment, act cruelly and selfishly. Animals like the tiger retain their dignity and instincts, whereas humans abuse their power over nature. Thus, humans compare unfavourably to animals.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, First Flight (Class 10)

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Explanation

The source passages provided are from a different chapter (about Mij the otter). Since no extract from "A Tiger in the Zoo" is supplied, the answer is grounded in the poem's well-known content from the CBSE Class 10 textbook. Examiners expect you to reference: (1) the tiger's natural dignity vs. captivity, and (2) human cruelty/selfishness implied by the poet. Keep it to 2–3 sentences for 2 marks.

Q15. [2]
Walt Whitman speaks of the human race with a tinge of sarcasm. Which are the two reasons that you agree with ? (Animals)
Previously asked in: 2022 2/2/1 Q6 (iv)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Walt Whitman, in the poem Animals, sarcastically points out two human flaws absent in animals:

  1. Humans are dissatisfied and constantly whine about their condition, whereas animals are content and self-sufficient.
  2. Humans are obsessed with material possessions and their "duty to God," which makes them restless, unlike the calm, independent animals.
Explanation

The question asks you to identify two sarcastic observations Whitman makes about humans compared to animals. The key irony is that animals are portrayed as superior — they don't complain, don't worship possessions, and aren't morally tormented. Note: The source passages provided do not include the poem Animals, so base your answer on your textbook reading of that poem. Examiners expect you to cite specific human flaws Whitman highlights (dissatisfaction, greed/materialism, hypocrisy) and agree with two of them with brief justification.

Q16. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage On pads of velvet quiet In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most appropriate option :
  1. (i) 'He' is in a rage because he is [1]
    1. (a) hungry
    2. (b) tied
    3. (c) thirsty
    4. (d) in a cage
  2. (ii) He is lurking in the shadow because _______. [1]
  3. (iii) The above lines express the tiger's _______. [1]
    1. (a) resignation
    2. (b) fear
    3. (c) anger
    4. (d) acceptance
  4. (iv) Complete the sentence appropriately : It is clear that metaphor is the poetic device used for 'pads of velvet' – because _______. (Clue : explain how metaphor is applied here.) [1]
  5. (v) The contrast in the above extract is between life in the forest and life in the [1]
    1. (a) circus
    2. (b) national park
    3. (c) cave
    4. (d) zoo
Previously asked in: 2023 2/6/1 Q7(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (d) in a cage

(ii) He is lurking in the shadow because he is waiting to hunt plump deer that pass near the water hole. It is his natural instinct to stalk prey by hiding in the shadows of long grass.

(iii) (c) anger

(iv) 'Pads of velvet' is a metaphor because the tiger's soft, cushioned paws are directly compared to velvet (a soft fabric) without using 'like' or 'as'. The paws are called velvet, not compared to it.

(v) (d) zoo

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, poem

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Explanation
Q17. [3]
State any three disadvantages that the tiger faces inside a cage.
Previously asked in: 2023 2/5/1 Q8 (d)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding rag
Model Answer

The poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" describes the following disadvantages a tiger faces inside a cage:

  1. Loss of freedom: The tiger is locked in a concrete cell, unable to move freely as it would in the wild.
  2. Restricted movement: It can only pace in few steps around the cage, which is a far cry from the vast jungle.
  3. Suppressed natural instincts: The tiger cannot hunt prey; its strength and ferocity are wasted behind bars.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, (Poetry Chapter)

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Explanation

This question is from the poem "A Tiger in the Zoo" by Leslie Norris (Class 10 English First Flight). The examiner expects three distinct points drawn from the poem's imagery — confinement, restricted movement, and suppression of natural behaviour. Each point should be brief and clear. Avoid writing a paragraph; list 3 points for 3 marks.

Q18. [5]
To the assembled guests and the watching world, I said : Today, all of us do, by our presence here ..... confer glory and hope to newborn liberty. Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
  1. (i) A society that __________ was born out of human disaster. [1]
    1. (a) all humanity would be proud of
    2. (b) was full of extraordinary human disaster
    3. (c) was full of outlaws and fighters
    4. (d) hosts nations on their soil
  2. (ii) The former outlaws were given the privilege of _________. [1]
    1. (a) getting citizenship of their country
    2. (b) participating in a trade conclave
    3. (c) finalizing the foreign policy
    4. (d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil
  3. (iii) The speaker was overwhelmed with the sense of _________. [1]
    1. (a) gratitude
    2. (b) achievement
    3. (c) happiness
    4. (d) charity
  4. (iv) State whether the following statement is True or False: The common victory was when South Africa did not become an independent nation. [1]
  5. (v) Select the word from the extract that means 'granting/bestowing'. [1]
    1. (a) conferring
    2. (b) confident
    3. (c) conference
    4. (d) configuring
Previously asked in: 2023 2/5/1 Q6(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (a) all humanity would be proud of

(ii) (d) hosting the nations of the world on their soil

(iii) (a) gratitude
(The speaker thanks the international guests and acknowledges the privilege given to them, showing a sense of gratitude.)

(iv) False.
The common victory was when South Africa became a free, democratic nation — a victory for justice, peace, and human dignity.

(v) (a) conferring

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Extract from the Inaugural Address

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Explanation
Q19. [6]
Mandela said, 'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.' Discuss.
Previously asked in: 2023 2/2/1 Q10(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Mandela's statement reflects a profound truth about human nature. He believed that love is natural; hate is learned. No child is born with racial hatred — it is instilled through social conditioning, upbringing, and unjust systems like apartheid.

Having suffered decades of oppression under apartheid and spending 27 years in prison, Mandela had every reason to hate. Yet he chose reconciliation. This shows that just as society teaches people to hate through prejudice and discrimination, it can equally teach love through education, empathy, and justice.

Mandela himself illustrates this: he says "a man who takes away another man's freedom is a prisoner of hatred, locked behind bars of prejudice." The oppressor, too, loses humanity. True freedom — for both oppressed and oppressor — lies in love and mutual respect, not hatred.

His words carry a message of hope: hatred is not inevitable; transformation is always possible.

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q20. [5]
He hears the last voice at night. The patrolling cars, And stares with his brilliant eyes At the brilliant stars. He stalks in his vivid stripes A few steps of his cage.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:
  1. (i) Whose is the last voice heard by the tiger? [1]
    1. (a) police jeep
    2. (b) patrolling cars
    3. (c) watchmen
    4. (d) roar of lion
  2. (ii) Complete the sentence appropriately. It is clear that repetition is the poetic device used for 'his brilliant eyes / At the brilliant stars' because _________. (Clue: explain how repetition applies here) [1]
  3. (iii) The main contrasting ideas in this extract are [1]
    1. (a) tiger and deer.
    2. (b) cruelty and sympathy.
    3. (c) confinement and freedom.
    4. (d) master and slave.
  4. (iv) The image of the tiger stalking in his vivid stripes creates an image of [1]
    1. (a) cowardice.
    2. (b) frustration.
    3. (c) lethargy.
    4. (d) purposefulness.
  5. (v) State whether the following statement is True or False: The poem uses staring at the sky to symbolize the freedom the tiger yearns for. [1]
Previously asked in: 2023 2/2/1 Q7(B)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:15 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (b) patrolling cars

(ii) The word "brilliant" is repeated in both phrases — "his brilliant eyes" and "the brilliant stars" — using the same word in close succession to create emphasis and draw a parallel between the tiger and the stars.

(iii) (c) confinement and freedom.

(iv) (b) frustration.

(v) True. The tiger stares at the brilliant stars, symbolizing his longing for the open wild and the freedom he is denied in the cage.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, stanza 4

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Explanation
Q21. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage He should be lurking in shadow Sliding through long grass Near the water hole Where plump deer pass.
Attempt any one of the given two extracts:
  1. (i) Complete the sentence appropriately. The vivid stripes refer to the ______. [1]
  2. (ii) Which word from the extract is the opposite of 'loud'? [1]
  3. (iii) The use of the phrase 'pads of velvet' means [1]
    1. (a) neck
    2. (b) tail
    3. (c) skin
    4. (d) paws
  4. (iv) State whether the following statement is True or False: The confinement of the cramped space of the cage has restricted the tiger's steps. [1]
  5. (v) The tiger was lurking in shadow _________. [1]
    1. (a) to catch its prey
    2. (b) as the cage was dark
    3. (c) as the velvet was quiet
    4. (d) as he was in a rage
Previously asked in: 2023 2/1/1 Q7(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) The vivid stripes refer to the tiger's bold black and yellow markings / stripes on the tiger's body.

(ii) The word opposite of 'loud' from the extract is quiet.

(iii) (d) paws
'Pads of velvet' refers to the tiger's soft, cushioned paws that move silently.

(iv) True.
The cage allows only a few steps, confining the tiger and restricting its natural movement.

(v) (a) to catch its prey
In its natural habitat, the tiger would lurk in shadow near the water hole where plump deer pass, in order to hunt them.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, stanza 2

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Explanation
Q22. [5]
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa!
Read the following extract and answer the questions:
  1. (i) State any one inference about Nelson Mandela from the given context. [1]
  2. (ii) State True or False: [Statement about whether Mandela intends to mean the well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa.] Justify your answer in about 40 words with reference to the extract. [1]
  3. (iii) Which phrase would correctly replace the underlined portion of the given sentence from the extract? The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. [2]
  4. (iv) Mandela intends to mean the well-being and welfare of only black people in South Africa. State True or False and justify your answer. [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/5/1 Q6(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) Nelson Mandela was a visionary and compassionate leader who was deeply committed to the freedom and upliftment of all people, not just a single group.

(ii) False.
Mandela pledges to liberate "all our people" from poverty, deprivation, suffering, and gender and other discrimination. He also says "never again shall this land experience the oppression of one by another," showing his concern for all people regardless of race.

(iii) The phrase "so glorious a human achievement" refers to the end of apartheid and the dawn of democracy in South Africa — an achievement of immense historical significance. A correct replacement phrase could be: "such a magnificent human accomplishment" — conveying the same sense of pride, grandeur, and historic importance as the original.

(iv) False.
Mandela's words "all our people" and his promise to end "oppression of one by another" show he envisions freedom and welfare for all South Africans — black, white, and of every background — not exclusively black people.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q23. [3]
Nelson Mandela in his inauguration speech says, "We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil." What is the significance of this statement with reference to the political system that prevailed before this? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2024 2/4/1 Q8 (i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Before Mandela's inauguration, South Africa was governed under apartheid — a political system that racially segregated and oppressed the Black majority. Black South Africans were denied basic rights, and leaders like Mandela were treated as criminals and imprisoned for resisting this unjust rule.

The statement is deeply significant because it marks a complete reversal: those once branded outlaws and persecuted under apartheid were now the legitimate hosts of over 140 world leaders. It signifies the triumph of democracy and justice over centuries of racial oppression, and the birth of a free, non-racial South Africa after more than three hundred years of White rule.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q24. [5]
But he's locked in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Why is the tiger stalking the length of his cage? [1]
  2. (ii) What is the significance of the use of the word 'concrete' to describe the concrete cell where the tiger is kept and how does it contrast with the tiger's presence in its natural habitat? Answer in about 40 words. [2]
  3. (iii) Complete the sentence with the appropriate option: The lines from the poem tell us that the tiger is __________ . [1]
    1. (A) enjoying his time in the cell
    2. (B) being indifferent to visitors because it is a daily routine for him
    3. (C) not as strong as his counterpart in the jungle
    4. (D) wanting to be free from the cage
  4. (iv) Identify the type of literary device used in the line: "His strength behind bars" [1]
Previously asked in: 2024 2/4/1 Q7(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) The tiger is stalking the length of his cage because he is restless and frustrated being locked in a confined space. He is unable to roam freely as he would in his natural habitat.

(ii) The word 'concrete' emphasises the hard, cold, and artificial nature of the tiger's enclosure. It contrasts sharply with the tiger's natural habitat — the lush, open jungle with tall grass and water holes — highlighting the cruelty of captivity.

(iii) (D) wanting to be free from the cage.

(iv) The literary device used is Synecdoche, where "strength" (a part/quality) represents the whole tiger. It can also be identified as Metonymy.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, Stanza 2

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Explanation
Q25. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions in 100–120 words: Explore the contrasting images of the tiger in 'A Tiger in the Zoo' and the tiger in 'How to Tell Wild Animals'.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/2/1 Q10 (b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

A Tiger in the Zoo presents a caged tiger — restless, helpless, and stripped of his natural glory. The tiger moves with "quiet rage" behind bars, his freedom denied. He should be lurking in the shadow of the forest, terrorising the village at the edge of the jungle. Instead, he is locked in a concrete cell, ignoring visitors, staring at the stars with a longing for freedom. The image evokes pity and anger at human cruelty.

In How to Tell Wild Animals, the tiger is portrayed humorously as a creature encountered in the wild — fierce, attacking, and powerful. If a large, tawny beast leaps on you and roars, it is an Asian lion; if it tears you limb from limb, it is a Bengal tiger. The tiger here is wild, dangerous, and free — comic in tone but instinctively ferocious.

Thus, one poem evokes sympathy for a caged, dignified creature; the other uses the tiger's deadly nature for gentle humour.

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Explanation
Q26. [3]
The transition from the apartheid system in South Africa to a new era of equality reflects broader historical trends in the struggle for human rights and social justice. Elaborate. (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/2/1 Q8 (i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

South Africa's apartheid system separated people by race, denying basic rights to the Black majority for over three centuries. Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress fought relentlessly against this oppression. After Mandela spent thirty years in prison, democratic elections were finally held in 1994, and he became South Africa's first Black President. At his inauguration, attended by dignitaries from over 140 countries, Mandela declared: "Never, never again will this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another." This triumph reflected the universal human struggle for equality, dignity, and freedom — a struggle mirrored globally by movements of Black Americans, women, and colonised peoples.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q27. [6]
Comment on the reactions and feelings of Lencho and Nelson Mandela when they faced challenges in their lives. (A Letter to God and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/3/1 Q10(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-14 11:17 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Lencho's Reaction (A Letter to God):
Lencho was a hardworking farmer who had complete, unquestioning faith in God. When a hailstorm destroyed his entire crop, he was devastated but not hopeless. Instead of despairing, he wrote a letter directly to God asking for 100 pesos to survive. When he received only 70 pesos (sent by the postmaster and his staff), he felt angry and cheated. Ironically, he accused God's "helpers" — the very post office employees who had helped him — of stealing the rest. His faith was naive and blind, making him ungrateful and incapable of recognising human kindness.

Mandela's Reaction (Long Walk to Freedom):
Mandela faced decades of oppression under apartheid. Rather than surrendering, he was transformed by suffering. He understood that oppression deepens one's hunger for freedom and creates "heights of character." His personal freedom became inseparable from his people's freedom. He believed courage was not the absence of fear, but conquering it. His hunger for freedom changed him from a frightened young man into a bold leader who sacrificed his family life and personal comfort for his nation.

Contrast: Lencho's faith was passive and self-centred; Mandela's resolve was active, selfless, and grew stronger through hardship.

Source: Chapter 1 – A Letter to God; Chapter 2 – Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

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Explanation
Q28. [3]
In what ways does the contrast between the tiger's natural habitat and its confinement in a concrete cell enhance the poem's exploration of captivity and its consequences for wild animals? (A Tiger in the Zoo)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/3/1 Q8 (ii)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

In "A Tiger in the Zoo," the contrast between the tiger's natural habitat and its concrete cell powerfully highlights the tragedy of captivity. In the wild, the tiger would lurk in shadows, hunt near water holes, and terrorise villages — living freely according to its instincts. Confined in a cell, it can only pace in rage, its paws softly padding, its strength wasted. This contrast shows captivity strips wild animals of their natural behaviour, dignity, and freedom, reducing a majestic creature to a helpless, silent prisoner who stares at stars with "brilliant eyes" — a symbol of suppressed longing.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, First Flight (Class 10)

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Explanation
Q29. [3]
Mandela in his speech says, ''The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people.'' Explain the significance of the word ''wound'' as used by Mandela. (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2025 2/1/1 Q8 (i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

The word "wound" is highly significant. Mandela uses it as a metaphor to convey that apartheid was not merely a political policy but caused deep pain and suffering — like a physical injury — to the nation and its people. A wound implies lasting damage that does not heal easily. It suggests the scars of racial oppression, humiliation, and denial of basic rights endured by millions of black South Africans over centuries. The word also reflects how personal and collective this suffering was, affecting not just individuals but the entire identity of a people.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Q30. [5]
He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. He should be lurking in shadow, Sliding through long grass
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Identify and name any one figure of speech in the above extract. [2]
  2. (ii) Fill in the blank with one word. The tiger's stalking on 'pads of velvet' suggests a movement that is ___________. [1]
  3. (iii) Based on the given lines from the poem, which words would best describe the feelings of the tiger ? [1]
    1. A Calm and content
    2. B Both subdued and angry
    3. C Both frustrated and happy
    4. D Both angry and famished
  4. (iv) Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the first four lines of the given extract. [1]
    1. A The people along the sand All turn and look one way They turn their back on the land They look at the sea all day
    2. B Along the sand, the people All turn and look one way They turn back on the sand They look at the sea all day
    3. C The people along the sand Look one way and all turn Their backs on the land They look at the sea all day
    4. D The people along the sand They turn their back on the land They look one way At the sea all day.
Previously asked in: 2025 2/1/1 Q7(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) Personification — "In his quiet rage" attributes human emotion (rage) to the tiger.
(Alternatively: Metaphor — "pads of velvet quiet" compares the tiger's soft paws to velvet.)

(ii) The tiger's stalking on 'pads of velvet' suggests a movement that is silent/noiseless.

(iii) B — Both subdued and angry.
The tiger walks the few steps of his cage (subdued/confined) yet is filled with "quiet rage" (anger).

(iv) Option A.
The rhyme scheme of the first four lines is ABAB (stripes/cage/quiet/rage — cage rhymes with rage, stripes with quiet = ABAB).
Option A follows the same ABAB scheme: sand/way/land/day — sand & land (A), way & day (B).

Source: "A Tiger in the Zoo", Leslie Norris

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Explanation
Q31. [5]
Out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud. We, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil. We thank all of our distinguished international guests for having come to take possession with the people of our country of what is, after all, a common victory for justice, for peace, for human dignity.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Which of the following options justifies the statement made by Mandela, "We, who were outlaws …" ? [1]
    1. (A) The international leaders who came to attend the ceremony
    2. (B) Due to Apartheid, many countries broke diplomatic relations with South Africa
    3. (C) The Commonwealth countries and their people
    4. (D) The people who fought in the Anglo-Boer War
  2. (ii) Complete the sentence appropriately: Mandela thanked all the distinguished international guests because ____________. [1]
  3. (iii) In the above lines, Mandela mentions 'extraordinary human disaster'. What is the significance of this phrase in his speech? [2]
  4. (iv) The tone of Mandela in the above excerpt is: 1. unifying 2. determined 3. aggressive 4. pessimistic 5. hopeless Select the correct option: [1]
    1. (A) 1, 2 and 4
    2. (B) 2 and 4
    3. (C) 1 and 2
    4. (D) 4 and 5
Previously asked in: 2026 2/2/1 Q6(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (B) Due to Apartheid, many countries broke diplomatic relations with South Africa.

(ii) Mandela thanked all the distinguished international guests because they came to share and celebrate a common victory for justice, peace, and human dignity alongside the people of South Africa.

(iii) The phrase 'extraordinary human disaster' refers to the oppressive system of Apartheid that subjected Black South Africans to decades of racial discrimination, injustice, and suffering. Mandela uses this phrase to acknowledge the immense pain endured by his people and to stress that such a prolonged tragedy must now give birth to a just, inclusive society of which all humanity can be proud. It lends both gravity and hope to his speech.

(iv) (C) 1 and 2

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Extract from Inauguration Speech

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Explanation
Q32. [3]
Why does Mandela mention that he was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father, and a husband ? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Previously asked in: 2026 2/3/1 Q8 (i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Mandela mentions this to explain the personal cost of fighting for his people's freedom. In South Africa, a man of colour who tried to fulfil his duty to his people was inevitably torn from his family. Mandela did not initially choose his people over his family, but in attempting to serve them under the apartheid system, it became impossible to fulfil both obligations simultaneously. His struggle for freedom forced him to neglect his roles as a son, brother, father, and husband.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Part 3

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Explanation
Q33. [5]
But he's locked in a concrete cell, His strength behind bars, Stalking the length of his cage, Ignoring visitors.
Read the following extract and answer the questions.
  1. (i) Complete the sentence suitably : The tiger ignores the visitors because ___________. [1]
  2. (ii) The above lines juxtapose the tiger's natural instincts with its caged existence. Justify. [2]
  3. (iii) What mood is created by the poet in the above lines ? [1]
    1. (A) sympathetic and thoughtful
    2. (B) angry and violent
    3. (C) cheerful and happy
    4. (D) exciting and fun
  4. (iv) Fill in the blank with the correct option from the brackets. The length of his cage highlights the __________ (vast space/limited space/free space) in which the tiger is confined. [1]
Previously asked in: 2026 2/3/1 Q7(a)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) The tiger ignores the visitors because he is deeply unhappy and frustrated in captivity; the visitors are meaningless to him in his confined, unnatural existence.

(ii) The tiger possesses immense natural strength and wild instincts, meant for roaming forests freely. However, his "strength behind bars" and "stalking the length of his cage" show these instincts are trapped within a concrete cell. His natural power is rendered useless — he can only pace restlessly instead of hunting. This contrast between wild power and imprisoned helplessness is the juxtaposition the poet creates.

(iii) (A) sympathetic and thoughtful

(iv) The length of his cage highlights the limited space in which the tiger is confined.

Source: A Tiger in the Zoo, stanza 3

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Explanation
Q34. [5]
"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die".
Read the given extract and answer the questions:
  1. (i) What is the main ideal Mandela is talking about? [1]
    1. (A) economic prosperity
    2. (B) representative and free society
    3. (C) absolute power
    4. (D) finishing racism
  2. (ii) How does the statement reflect Mandela's commitment to justice? (Answer in about 40 words) [2]
  3. (iii) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket: Nelson's vision was not simply to reverse the oppression but to end it completely as he wishes to _______ (fight / appease) all forms of domination in which all persons live with equal opportunities. [1]
  4. (iv) The phrase "prepared to die" shows Mandela's: [1]
    1. (A) anxiety
    2. (B) desperation
    3. (C) passion
    4. (D) uprightness
Previously asked in: 2026 2/5/1 Q6(B)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

(i) (B) representative and free society

(ii) Mandela's statement shows his unwavering commitment to justice by declaring that he is willing to sacrifice even his life for a democratic society where all persons have equal opportunities and live in harmony. His dedication goes beyond personal survival, reflecting selfless devotion to justice.

(iii) fight

(iv) (C) passion

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Explanation
Q35. [6]
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words: Examine the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Previously asked in: 2026 2/1/1 Q10(I)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Similarities:

Both the tiger and Custard the dragon are wild creatures kept in captivity or confined surroundings. Neither is in its natural habitat — the tiger is locked in a zoo cage, while Custard lives as a pet in a house. Both animals appear meek and tame in their given situation; the tiger paces quietly at night, and Custard is mocked for being cowardly despite his fearsome appearance.

Differences:

The tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" is truly fierce but suppressed — he is a real, powerful predator whose freedom has been cruelly snatched. He feels rage and helplessness behind bars. Custard, however, is a fictional, comic character who is deliberately portrayed as timid despite his dragon form. He craves safety and comfort. Ironically, when danger arrives, Custard alone acts bravely and defeats the pirate. The tiger never gets a chance to show his true spirit freely.

Thus, both poems explore the gap between appearance and reality, but from opposite angles.

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Explanation
Q36. [5]
We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given:
  1. I What is the tone Nelson Mandela is UNLIKELY to have used in his speech? [1]
    1. A inspirational
    2. B assertive
    3. C conflicted
    4. D direct
  2. II According to Mandela, emancipation is not merely political. Elaborate. [2]
  3. III Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket: Mandela's speech swings between references to the past and a ________ (bleak/promising) future. [1]
  4. IV With reference to the extract explain the sentence, "The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." [1]
Previously asked in: 2026 2/1/1 Q6(A)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer

I. C — conflicted

II. Mandela says that political emancipation alone is not enough. True freedom means liberating people from poverty, deprivation, suffering, and gender discrimination. He pledges to fight these social and economic injustices so that every citizen enjoys complete freedom and dignity, not just political rights.

III. promising

IV. This sentence means that the achievement of freedom and democracy in South Africa is so magnificent that its glory will last forever. Just as the sun's setting signals an end, Mandela asserts this great human triumph — ending oppression and establishing equality — will never fade or be forgotten.

Source: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom, Inauguration Speech extract

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Explanation
Q37. [6]
Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words : Evaluate the similarities and differences between the tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" and the dragon in "The Tale of Custard the Dragon".
Previously asked in: 2026 2/4/1 Q10 (b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Tiger in "A Tiger in the Zoo" is a wild animal confined in a cage, stripped of his natural freedom. He moves restlessly behind bars, his velvet paws padding softly, his brilliant eyes watching patrol cars at night — a symbol of suppressed rage and silent despair. He should be terrorising villages and lurking in shadows, but instead suffers quiet captivity.

Custard the Dragon in Nash's poem is a cowardly pet who longs for safety despite having fearsome weapons — sharp teeth, spikes, and a fire-breathing mouth. Ironically, he proves braver than all others when a real pirate appears.

Similarities: Both are powerful creatures kept in domestic/confined settings, both possess natural weapons, and both are misunderstood by those around them.

Differences: The tiger is genuinely fierce but helpless; Custard appears cowardly but is actually brave. The tiger suffers silently; Custard is mocked openly. The tiger's captivity evokes pathos; Custard's story is comic and light-hearted.

Explanation

Examiners look for a balanced comparison — at least two similarities and two differences, with textual evidence from both poems. Mention specific details: the tiger's "velvet paws," "brilliant eyes," and Custard's "realio, trulio" cowardice versus his heroic act. Keep the tone analytical, not just a summary of each poem. Scoring: ~3 marks for similarities/differences + ~3 marks for textual support and expression.

Q38. [3]
What is the vision of freedom that comes through the speech of Nelson Mandela ?
Previously asked in: 2026 2/4/1 Q8 (v)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:14 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Nelson Mandela's vision of freedom is broad and universal. As a boy, freedom meant personal liberties — playing freely, riding a bicycle. As a student, it meant the right to earn and travel. But he came to understand that true freedom means liberation for all — both the oppressed and the oppressor.

He believed the oppressor is not truly free either, as hatred imprisons one's soul. His vision for South Africa included a non-racial, non-sexist democracy based on equality, justice, and dignity — a society where all citizens live in peace and prosperity.

Source: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Chapter 2

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Explanation
Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.