Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies 2009 CBSE CLASS X (ENGLISH ) - Question Paper

Maurya. Chandragupta defeated him in 305 B.C. The defeated Seleukos sent
Megasthenes as his ambassador to the court of Chandragupta.
Megasthenes observed our 2 largest rivers, the Ganges and the Sindhu. These
rivers were used for journeys only. During the rainy season they could not be used
because they were flooded. Roads were also used and the best known road ran
from the northwest to Patliputra. It had shady trees, signposts, rest houses and
wells along it and may be called fore runner of the current Grand Trunk road.
The numerous trees that grew in India also attracted his attention. The banyan
tree, whose branches grew downwards and took root, particularly charmed him.
About the people of India Megasthenes says that Indians were generally tall and
slim. Most people wore a white cotton dress, which contrasted with their dark
complexion. The rich however wore gaily coloured linen clothes. They wore ivory
ear-rings and gold ornaments.
Megasthenes undoubtedly admired the Indian character. He says that the Indians
behaved in an orderly manner. They just followed their customs and traditions.
They did not care for written contracts. In business deals they took a man at his
word.
No. ques. No
69
a. How do we know Megasthenes’ views on India when his book is lost? (1)
b. Why could the Ganges and the Sindhu not be used? (1)
c. How did the Indians decorate themselves in Megasthenes' time? (1)
d. What were the conditions which brought Megasthenes to India? (2)
e. How does Megasthenes support the fact that the Indians were disciplined and
honest? (1)
f. Which of the subsequent choices is correct? (1)
A. According to the writer the Ganges and the Sindhu could not be used
in the rainy season because:
i. they were flooded
ii. they were full of crocodiles
iii. there were roads to be used
iv. there were no boats.
B. Many people wore a cotton dress because: (1)
i. they were poor
ii. it covered their head
iii. it contrasted with their complexion
iv. the passage does not tell us.
g. Frame 2 ques. on the basis of the underlined part of the passage. (2)
h. obtain out the words from the passage which mean the identical as the following:
Many para 4
Certainly para six (2)
No. ques. No
70
part B- WRITING
20 MARKS
3. Your friend has asked for your advice for buying a birthday current. Write a letter

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