Develop a story: I was driving fast. As I hit the main road I saw an upturned motorbike and a man lying beside it. I decided to help but the thought of my grumpy boss and a prefixed business meeting...
Develop a story: I was driving fast. As I hit the main road I saw an upturned motorbike and a man lying beside it. I decided to help but the thought of my grumpy boss and a prefixed business meeting...
...I decided to help, but the thought of my grumpy boss and the prefixed business meeting made me hesitate. Glancing at my watch, I saw only twenty minutes left to reach office. For a moment I considered driving on, telling myself someone else would surely stop.
But the man's motionless body and the blood on the road tugged at my conscience. I pulled over, hands trembling, and dialled the ambulance helpline. While waiting, I loosened his collar and kept talking to him to keep him conscious. Passers-by gathered, and together we moved him gently onto the pavement.
The ambulance arrived within ten minutes; I rode along to the hospital, forgetting the meeting entirely. My boss called twice, but I kept my phone silent. Later, when I explained my delay, even he fell silent, humbled by my reason.
That day I learnt that no deadline or promotion could ever outweigh a human life, and choosing empathy over ambition remains, till today, the best decision I have ever made.
Marking Scheme
- 110 marks total (1 Title, 4 Content, 5 Expression).
Hint
The boss might actually be the man on the bike.
Quick Oral Answer
A story about choosing to save a life over attending a meeting.
Analysis & Explanation
This is a creative story-writing question (10 marks) built around a moral dilemma between professional duty and human empathy.
Concept
- The story must show internal conflict (career pressure vs. compassion) and end with a clear, justified choice by the protagonist.
Key points
- (i) Title — should hint at the dilemma or its resolution.
- (ii) Conflict — establish the pull of the boss/meeting against the injured man's need for help.
- (iii) Resolution — protagonist chooses to help, showing the consequence/impact of that choice.
Common mistakes
- Presenting the dilemma without a definite final choice.
- Making the resolution feel rushed or unrealistic.
- Forgetting to show the emotional/practical outcome of the decision (e.g., reaction of the boss, the accident victim's fate).
Real-world
- Reflects genuine ethical situations (like Good Samaritan dilemmas) where bystanders must choose between self-interest and helping an accident victim, an issue also linked to India's 'Good Samaritan Law' protecting those who assist.
Common Mistakes
- 1Lacking a clear conflict resolution.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017?
This question carries 10 marks in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in English (Communicative)?
This question is from the chapter "Writing Skills" in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in English (Communicative)?
This question covers the topic "Story Writing" from CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative).
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section B in the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2017 paper.