The SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) Exam 2021 was an important milestone for students in the 10th grade. This article provides a comprehensive set of questions and answers for all major subjects, helping students prepare effectively. Each subject has been covered with a variety of question types, ensuring a balanced preparation.
SSLC 2021 English Questions and Answers
Question: What is the central theme of the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost?
Answer: The poem discusses the theme of choices and their consequences, emphasizing how decisions shape our lives.
Question: Explain the character of Shylock in Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.”
Answer: Shylock is a Jewish moneylender portrayed as both a villain and a victim. His strong desire for revenge is driven by the mistreatment he has faced.
Question: What is the difference between a simile and a metaphor?
Answer: A simile compares two things using “like” or “as,” while a metaphor directly states a comparison without these words.
Question: Summarize the story of “The Last Leaf” by O. Henry.
Answer: “The Last Leaf” is about hope and sacrifice. An artist paints a leaf on a wall to give hope to a dying girl, ultimately saving her life but sacrificing his own.
Question: What is the significance of the title “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank?
Answer: The title reflects the personal and historical significance of Anne Frank’s writings, which provide insight into her experiences during the Holocaust.
Question: Define the term “theme” in literature.
Answer: A theme is the underlying message or central idea that the author explores through the story.
Question: What is a synonym for the word “benevolent”?
Answer: A synonym for “benevolent” is “kind.”
Question: Describe the plot of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.
Answer: The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man who learns the value of generosity and compassion through visits from three spirits.
Question: What is the main conflict in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare?
Answer: The main conflict in “Macbeth” is between Macbeth’s ambition to become king and his moral conscience.
Question: How does the character of Pip evolve in Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations”?
Answer: Pip starts as an innocent, kind-hearted boy but becomes snobbish and ambitious before eventually maturing and learning the value of loyalty and humility.
Question: What are the key elements of a short story?
Answer: The key elements of a short story are character, setting, plot, conflict, and theme.
Question: How is irony used in “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry?
Answer: Irony is used when the characters sacrifice their most valued possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to find that the gifts are now useless.
Question: What is the role of the narrator in a story?
Answer: The narrator tells the story and provides the reader with insights into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
Question: Define “imagery” in literature.
Answer: Imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses, helping to create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.
Question: Explain the term “foreshadowing.”
Answer: Foreshadowing is a literary device in which the author gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story.
Question: What is the rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet?
Answer: The rhyme scheme of a Shakespearean sonnet is ABABCDCDEFEFGG.
Question: What is the moral lesson of “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant?
Answer: The moral lesson is that honesty and contentment are more valuable than material possessions, as shown by the consequences of the characters’ pride and dishonesty.
Question: How does the setting influence the mood of a story?
Answer: The setting can influence the mood by creating an atmosphere that reflects the emotions of the characters or the themes of the story.
Question: What is personification in literature?
Answer: Personification is a literary device where human qualities are given to non-human things, such as animals, objects, or abstract ideas.
Question: How does symbolism enhance a story?
Answer: Symbolism enhances a story by giving deeper meaning to objects, characters, or events, allowing the author to convey complex ideas in a subtle way.
SSLC 2021 Mathematics Questions and Answers
Question: What is the quadratic formula?
Answer: The quadratic formula is used to solve quadratic equations and is given by x = (-b ± √(b² – 4ac)) / 2a.
Question: Define a polynomial.
Answer: A polynomial is a mathematical expression consisting of variables, coefficients, and exponents, combined using addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
Question: What is the Pythagorean theorem?
Answer: The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Question: What is the area of a circle?
Answer: The area of a circle is given by the formula A = πr², where r is the radius.
Question: How do you find the slope of a line?
Answer: The slope of a line is found using the formula (y₂ – y₁) / (x₂ – x₁), where (x₁, y₁) and (x₂, y₂) are two points on the line.
Question: What is the difference between a rational and an irrational number?
Answer: A rational number can be expressed as a fraction, while an irrational number cannot be written as a simple fraction.
Question: What is the formula for the perimeter of a rectangle?
Answer: The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle is P = 2(l + w), where l is the length and w is the width.
Question: Define the term “factorization.”
Answer: Factorization is the process of breaking down a number or expression into its constituent factors.
Question: What is a linear equation?
Answer: A linear equation is an equation that represents a straight line and has the general form ax + by = c.
Question: How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder?
Answer: The volume of a cylinder is calculated using the formula V = πr²h, where r is the radius and h is the height.
Question: What is the difference between mean and median?
Answer: The mean is the average of a set of numbers, while the median is the middle number when the set is arranged in ascending order.
Question: What is a coordinate plane?
Answer: A coordinate plane is a two-dimensional plane formed by the intersection of a horizontal axis (x-axis) and a vertical axis (y-axis).
Question: How do you solve a system of linear equations?
Answer: A system of linear equations can be solved using methods like substitution, elimination, or graphing.
Question: What is the distributive property?
Answer: The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, meaning you multiply the outside term by each term inside the parentheses.
Question: Define a prime number.
Answer: A prime number is a number greater than 1 that has no divisors other than 1 and itself.
Question: What is the circumference of a circle?
Answer: The circumference of a circle is given by the formula C = 2πr, where r is the radius.
Question: What is a function in mathematics?
Answer: A function is a relation in which each input (independent variable) has exactly one output (dependent variable).
Question: Explain the term “absolute value.”
Answer: Absolute value refers to the distance of a number from zero on the number line, always expressed as a non-negative value.
Question: What is the formula for the surface area of a sphere?
Answer: The formula for the surface area of a sphere is A = 4πr², where r is the radius.
Question: How do you calculate the probability of an event?
Answer: The probability of an event is calculated by dividing the number of favorable outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes.
SSLC 2021 Science Questions and Answers
Question: What is photosynthesis?
Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight to synthesize food from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
Question: What is Newton’s third law of motion?
Answer: Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Question: Define an element in chemistry.
Answer: An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
Question: What is the function of the heart in the human body?
Answer: The heart pumps blood throughout the body, supplying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.
Question: Explain the process of evaporation.
Answer: Evaporation is the process by which a liquid turns into a gas due to an increase in temperature or pressure.
Question: What is the formula for water?
Answer: The chemical formula for water is H₂O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Question: How does a prism refract light?
Answer: A prism refracts light by bending it as it passes through the prism, separating it into its component colors (spectrum).
Question: What is an ecosystem?
Answer: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their physical environment.
Question: What are the three states of matter?
Answer: The three states of matter are solid, liquid, and gas.
Question: What is the atomic number of carbon?
Answer: The atomic number of carbon is 6.
Question: Define velocity.
Answer: Velocity is the speed of an object in a specific direction.
Question: What is the function of the chloroplast in plant cells?
Answer: The chloroplast is responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy in plants.
Question: What is the law of conservation of mass?
Answer: The law of conservation of mass states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction.
Question: How does a battery generate electricity?
Answer: A battery generates electricity through a chemical reaction between the electrolyte and the electrodes, which creates a flow of electrons.
Question: What is the main function of the lungs in the human body?
Answer: The lungs are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the bloodstream.
Question: Define the term “acid” in chemistry.
Answer: An acid is a substance that releases hydrogen ions (H⁺) when dissolved in water, often having a sour taste and the ability to turn blue litmus paper red.
Question: What is a chemical reaction?
Answer: A chemical reaction is a process in which substances interact to form new substances with different properties.
Question: What is the unit of electric current?
Answer: The unit of electric current is the ampere (A).
Question: How does the circulatory system work?
Answer: The circulatory system transports blood, nutrients, and gases throughout the body, powered by the heart and regulated by blood vessels.
Question: What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
Answer: Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four genetically different cells, each with half the number of chromosomes.
Ending Paragraph Summary
The SSLC Exam 2021 covered a wide range of subjects, testing students’ knowledge across different fields. This set of questions and answers aims to provide a solid foundation for revision in subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, helping students succeed in their exams.
What was Important in SSLC Exam 2021
The SSLC exam (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) is a key academic milestone for students in India, particularly in states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The 2021 SSLC exam was conducted under special circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced unique challenges and changes in the exam process. Here are some of the important aspects of the 2021 SSLC exam:
1. COVID-19 Impact and Safety Measures:
- The pandemic led to delays and uncertainty regarding the exam schedule.
- Safety protocols, including social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitization, were strictly enforced in examination centers.
- The number of students per classroom was reduced to ensure physical distancing.
2. Exam Pattern and Syllabus Changes:
- In some states like Karnataka, the exam pattern was modified to a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format to reduce stress on students and minimize time spent in the exam hall.
- The syllabus was reduced to accommodate the disruptions in classroom learning due to lockdowns and remote learning challenges.
3. Special Provisions:
- Some states provided extra time for students to prepare due to the interruptions in regular schooling.
- Online learning platforms and resources were made available to students who faced challenges in attending physical classes.
4. Result Evaluation and Promotion Criteria:
- Given the extraordinary situation, the evaluation process was more lenient in certain states, with some students promoted based on internal assessments and previous academic performance.
- In Kerala, for instance, the SSLC exam was held as usual, but the evaluation process took into account the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
5. Mental Health Support:
- Many education boards and schools provided counseling services to help students deal with the stress and anxiety related to the pandemic and the exams.
The 2021 SSLC exam stood out as a significant test of resilience for students, teachers, and administrators, given the unique challenges presented by the pandemic.