CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature 2025 Sample Paper Solved Set 6

Section A
Reading Skills

1. Read the following passage carefully

1. Cybercrimes have emerged as a pervasive and insidious threat in the digital age, posing significant dangers to individuals, businesses, and societies worldwide. Firstly, cybercrimes encompass a wide range of illicit activities conducted through digital platforms, including hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, malware distribution, and online fraud. These crimes exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. From personal data breaches to financial fraud schemes, cybercrimes can wreak havoc on individuals' lives, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and psychological distress.

2. Moreover, businesses and organisations are prime targets for cybercriminals seeking to steal valuable intellectual property, trade secrets, and financial assets. Sophisticated cyberattacks, such as ransomware and supply chain breaches, can disrupt operations, cause financial losses, and erode trust among stakeholders. The proliferation of interconnected devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) era has further amplified cyber risks, as insecure loT devices can serve as entry point for malicious actors to infiltrate networks and launch coordinated attacks.

3. In addition to economic repercussions, cybercrimes pose significant threats to national security and public safety State-sponsored cyber espionage, cyber terrorism, and cyber warfare tactics have the potential to destabilise governments, disrupt critical infrastructure, and compromise essential services, such as healthcare, energy, and transportation systems. The interconnected nature of cyberspace means that cyber threats transcend geographical boundaries, necessitating international cooperation and coordinated efforts to combat cybercrime effectively.

4. Furthermore, the proliferation of cybercrimes has profound implications for privacy and civil liberties in the digital age. Mass surveillance programs, data breaches, and unauthorised surveillance practices undermine individuals' right to privacy, exposing them to unwarranted scrutiny and surveillance. The collection and misuse of personal data by tech giants and government agencies raise concerns about surveillance capitalism and the erosion of digital freedoms, necessitating legislative reforms and regulatory frameworks to safeguard privacy rights.

5. Moreover, the rapid evolution of cyber threats and the anonymity afforded by the dark web present significant challenges for law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity professionals tasked with combating cybercrimes. The asymmetric nature of cyber warfare, coupled with the global nature of cyberspace, makes attribution and prosecution of cybercriminals notoriously difficult, often resulting in impunity and a lack of accountability for their actions.

6. In conclusion, cybercrimes pose pervasive and multifaceted dangers in today's interconnected world, threatening individuals, businesses, and societies on a global scale. From financial fraud and intellectual property theft to national security threats and privacy breaches, the impacts of cybercrimes are far-reaching and profound Addressing the root causes of cybercrimes requires a comprehensive approach encompassing technological innovation, regulatory reform, international cooperation, and public awareness initiatives to mitigate risks, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and safeguard the digital ecosystem for future generations.

Answer the following questions based on the above passage.

(i) How do cybercrimes impact national security and public safety according to the passage?
Answer: Cybercrimes impact national security and public safety by destabilising governments and disrupting Critical Infrastructure

(ii) Complete the following sentence appropriately with the correct option. 
From personal data breaches to financial fraud schemes, cybercrimes can………………………
on individuals' lives, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and psychological distress.
(a) cause an impact
(b) wreak havoc
Answer: wreak havoc

(iii) Analyse the tone of the writer in the given lines from para (3). Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
‘The interconnected nature of cyberspace means that cyber threats transcend geographical boundaries,necessitating international cooperation and coordinated efforts to combat cybercrime effectively.’
Answer: The writer's tone in these lines is urgent and collaborative. By emphasising the global nature of cyberthreats and the need for international cooperation, the writer underscores the critical importance of unified coordinated efforts to effectively combat cybercrime.

(iv) The passage mentions that the impacts of cybercrimes are far-reaching and profound. Select two antonyms of 'profound' as used in this context. 
I. Reaching II. Sophisticated III. Superficial IV. Implication V. Mild
Options
(a) I and IV
(b) III and V
(c) II and III
(d) L. III and IV
Answer: b

(v) State True or False. 
Cybercrimes only affect individuals and have no significant impact on businesses or national security.
Answer: False

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