English Olympiad Class 10 - Sample question paper 13

Passage 1 - When we are tickled or when we see, read or hear something funny, we laugh. Even a funny thought that crosses our mind or the feelings of nervousness and embarrassment can make us laugh! Any of these stimuli can make our diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system to contract. The contraction causes our face muscles to move in a certain manner and we make certain sounds - this is interpreted as laughter!

When we laugh, we let go of our defences for that moment and we release a huge wave of positive energy. It is a great way to build relationships because people feel less threatened when they see us laugh.

They are ready to accept us more easily. The sound of roaring laughter is more contagious than common cold. Shared laughter brings people closer and makes them happy. It is a powerful stress buster – a necessity in the modern world cramped with work, traffic, pollution and competition. A good sense of humour keeps the mood light and the atmosphere around us positive. This in turn makes us more creative and prepared to meet targets. And who would not love to work with a person with a happy attitude? Therefore, laughter is said to be a strong team builder.

Laughing at oneself is an awesome way to show our humility. When people around us see that we are ready to accept our weaknesses so positively, they are encouraged to do the same. Working with people who are not afraid to be real reduces confusion. When someone projects a false image of oneself everyone is confused. This confusion can result in low productivity and negativity. Laughter boosts fearless creativity; productivity and these eventually lead to happiness. Nature’s best gift to us is laughter! Laugh to appreciate the best things in life. Best of all laughter is fun, free and easy to use!

Passage 2 - What do we mean when we say someone is intelligent? Intelligence is the ability to think on the basis of the information available and solve problems. After human beings, dolphins are the next most intelligent creatures on earth. Like human beings, dolphins have large brains when compared to their body size. Since dolphins cannot take an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) test to measure their intelligence, we measure it by comparing their brain size with their body size. This is called EQ (Encephalisation Quotient). Human EQ is 7.0, while a dolphin’s is 4.2 and the chimpanzees’, whales’ and elephants’ is 1.8 to 2.4. Dolphins come closest to us in intelligence.

For example, Kelly, the dolphin, is indeed very clever. She lives in the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies in Mississippi. Dolphins there are taught to keep the pools clean. They bring any litter that falls into the pools to the trainers. Their reward is a fish. Kelly has taken her learning one step further. The intelligent mammal picks up pieces of paper people throw, and hides them at the bottom of the pool. She tears off a piece of paper and brings it to the trainer to get a reward. Fish-rewards are given whether a dolphin brings a small piece or a big one. She has trained the humans! A large gull flew into the pool one day. The intelligent Kelly grabbed it and gave it to the trainers. It was a large gull so the trainers gave Kelly lots of fish. A new idea came to Kelly. Kelly began saving and using one or two of the fish she got very intelligently. She broke the fish into pieces and spread them on the pool surface instead of eating it. Pieces of fish attracted more gulls. The gulls were immediately caught and given to the trainers for more fish-rewards! Kelly has now trained her family and friends in the pool. Gull baiting is now very common. The dolphins’ intelligence has surprised everyone.

Passage 3 - An aged hermit resided in the Lun Mountains of Korea. Many people sought his advice for he was a source of wisdom and was conversant in the miraculous arts. One day, a woman came and pleaded with him to help her regain her husband’s lost fondness. “He was so loving and caring before he left for the wars,” she lamented. “He has returned after three years but now he is indifferent and aloof.”

“War does these things to men,” said the hermit pensively. “They say you can make a potion that can kindle love in the person who consumes it,” said the woman.

“I surely can make that potion, it is true, but I lack one of the main ingredients that go into its making”, said the hermit. “Which is that?”, asked the woman. “It is a tiger’s whisker”, replied the patient hermit.

The woman left promising to get what he required. The next day she went in search of a tiger and finally saw one on the banks of a large river. The tiger snarled when he saw her and she retreated. She returned to the spot the next day. Again, the tiger snarled and again she retreated. However, she kept going to the place and gradually the animal got used to her presence and stopped snarling.

She began to bring him food. In course of time, the tiger became so friendly that he would come right up to her to take the food. One day she hesitantly reached out and patted his head. A few days later, she ran her hand down the side of his face. Moreover, while doing so she deftly pulled out one of his whiskers. Thereafter she rushed to the hermit’s house with the whisker.

“I’ve got it!” she said, triumphantly. “Good,” said the hermit.

He took the whisker of tiger to the fireplace and dropped it into the fire.

“What have you done!” said the woman, stunned. “You promised to make me a magic potion with this!”

“You don’t need one,” said the hermit, smiling gently. “Tell me, how did you win the tiger’s affection? Naturally, you had to deal with him with gentleness and a great deal of patience. Would a man be less responsive than a savage and bloodthirsty beast? Go and win over your husband as you did the tiger.”

The woman turned over what the hermit had said, in her mind, as she slowly made her way home. When she saw her husband her first instinct was to turn away, then remembering the tiger and the hermit’s words, she checked herself and moved forward with a smile on her face.