This Set-6 paper is designed strictly in the style of real CBSE Class 10 English past papers, focusing on advanced reading comprehension, difficult grammar applications, and high-order writing tasks. The difficulty level is higher than previous sets to match actual board exam expectations. The paper includes unseen passages, integrated grammar, formal writing, and literature-based questions. All answers are concise, accurate, and student-friendly, keeping the format suitable for exam preparation.
SECTION A – READING
Passage-1 (Discursive)
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Passage:
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, the art of handwriting is slowly disappearing. Schools continue to teach writing skills, but children now spend more time typing on screens than holding a pen. Experts argue that handwriting improves memory, attention, and emotional expression. However, others believe that digital typing is faster, more efficient, and better suited to modern workplaces. The challenge is to find balance, ensuring students gain both cognitive benefits of handwriting and the technological fluency required for future careers.
Q1. What is slowly disappearing in today’s world?
Answer: The art of handwriting.
Q2. Why do experts support handwriting?
Answer: It improves memory, attention, and emotional expression.
Q3. Why do some people prefer digital typing?
Answer: It is faster and more efficient.
Q4. What balance must be maintained in schools?
Answer: Between handwriting skills and technological fluency.
Passage-2 (Factual)
Read the data and answer:
Table: Students’ study habits across a week
- Monday: 2 hours
- Tuesday: 1.5 hours
- Wednesday: 2.5 hours
- Thursday: 3 hours
- Friday: 1 hour
Q5. On which day did students study the most?
Answer: Thursday.
Q6. What was the average study duration for Monday and Tuesday?
Answer: 1.75 hours.
Q7. Which day shows the lowest study time?
Answer: Friday.
SECTION B – GRAMMAR
Q8. Fill in the blanks (Tenses)
a) She ___ (complete) her work before evening.
Answer: will complete
b) They ___ (discuss) the issue when I entered.
Answer: were discussing
c) The results ___ (declare) tomorrow.
Answer: will be declared
Q9. Editing Task
Incorrect: “Every students were excited for the science exhibition.”
Answer: Every student was excited for the science exhibition.
Q10. Transformation
a) Change into passive: “They will announce the winner.”
Answer: The winner will be announced.
b) Change into reported speech:
He said, “I can finish it today.”
Answer: He said that he could finish it that day.
c) Combine using “although”:
He tried hard. He failed.
Answer: Although he tried hard, he failed.
Q11. Omission
Sentence: “The teacher reminded students submit assignments time.”
Missing words: to, on
Answer: The teacher reminded students to submit assignments on time.
SECTION C – WRITING
Q12. Formal Letter (Hard-Level)
Write a letter to the editor about increasing noise pollution in your city.
Answer:
To
The Editor
Sir/Madam,
Through this letter, I want to highlight the rising problem of noise pollution in our city. Frequent honking, loudspeakers, and construction work disturb students, patients, and elderly people. Strict regulation and public awareness are urgently required. I request the authorities to take appropriate action to ensure a peaceful environment.
Yours sincerely,
Student
Q13. Analytical Paragraph
Graph: Library visits by students (Jan–Apr)
- Jan: 40
- Feb: 55
- Mar: 70
- Apr: 65
Answer:
The graph shows a steady rise in library visits from January to March. Visits increased from 40 in January to 70 in March, indicating improved study habits before exams. April shows a slight drop to 65 but remains higher than earlier months. Overall, the trend reflects growing academic engagement.
SECTION D – LITERATURE
Q14. From “Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”
What did Mandela say about courage?
Answer: Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.
Q15. From “Two Stories About Flying”
Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?
Answer: He doubted his ability to support himself in the air.
Q16. Poem – “The Trees”
What do the trees want according to the poem?
Answer: They want freedom in the natural world.
Q17. Poem – “Fog”
How does the poet describe the fog?
Answer: As a cat that comes silently.
Q18. “The Necklace”
Why did Mme. Loisel feel unhappy with her life?
Answer: She desired luxury and felt she deserved a richer lifestyle.
Q19. “The Hack Driver”
Why did the narrator trust Bill?
Answer: Bill spoke kindly and pretended to help him.
Q20. “A Triumph of Surgery”
Why was Tricki sent to the hospital?
Answer: He was overfed and had become unhealthy.
Q21. “The Proposal” (Play)
Why did Lomov visit Chubukov?
Answer: To propose marriage to Natalya.
Q22. Extract Question
“She had no proper dress, no jewels, nothing.”
Who is “she”?
Answer: Mme. Loisel.
Q23. Extract Question
“He had been underfed for a long time.”
Who is being described here?
Answer: Tricki.
Q24. Long Answer (Hard Level)
How does Nelson Mandela highlight the importance of freedom for all?
Answer: He explains that true freedom means equal dignity and an end to oppression. He stresses that freedom is meaningful only when all citizens enjoy it.
Q25. Long Answer
How does the story “The Necklace” show the dangers of materialism?
Answer: Mme. Loisel’s desire for luxury leads her to borrow a necklace, lose it, and suffer ten years of hardship, proving how materialism can destroy happiness.