Board Sample Paper
Subject : English
Session 2025-26
Section -A (Reading)
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:-
(A) Every time a child takes a soft drink, he’s laying the groundwork for dangerous bone disease. No, fizzy and sugary drinks don’t cause osteoporosis. But, because they are often a substitute for a glass of milk, kids are not getting the calcium and vitamin D they need to build a strong skeleton.
Many of them also lead a sedentary lifestyle, so they aren’t getting the bone-building benefits for vigorous exercise either. These children aren’t just in jeopardy for brittle bones and fractures decades down the road. They could be at risk of osteoporosis at a younger age than ever before.
(B) The Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research, a body of osteoporosis experts is trying to spread awareness about this bone-crippling disease. Osteoporosis starts in childhood but has consequences later in life.
The condition causes bones to become riddled with holes, like the framework of a house that’s been attacked by termites. That can lead to broken bones, which in turn can cause deformity, chronic pain, or disability. Osteoporosis can be fatal; up to 25 percent of older people who suffer a broken hip die within a year, Osteoporosis isn’t just your grandmother’s health threat.
Although it strikes over 50 million women in India, it also menaces over 12 million men; Osteoporosis causes loss of height, pain in joints and back, fractures, and fear of fractures, and can be very depressing, so we must adopt preventive measures, to save millions of people.
(C) There is a new medical understanding of the best ways to protect ourselves and our children, “Simple lifestyle changes and nutrition will help save your bones,” says Dr, Mittal, To get us moving in the right direction, he says, “It’s never too late to adopt bone-friendly habits – exercise, get enough sunlight, and have adequate calcium, This way, we can keep our bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis.”
1. Answer the following questions, based on the above passage: (12)
(i)Choose a word that can be used to replace the word ‘jeopardy’ in passage .
(a) Excitement
(b)Leading to good health
(c)Danger of loss
(d)Overwhelmed
(ii)To build strong bones one must (1)
(a)Drink fizzy and sugary drinks
(b)Avoid use of milk
(c)Adapt sedentary lifestyle
(d)Exercise, have enough sunlight and adequate calcium
(iii)Osteoporosis effect on bones can be described as (1)
(a)Healthy bones
(b)Increase in calcium deposit
(c)Increased vigour
(d)Bones riddled with holes
(iv)The ways suggested to deal with osteoporosis in the paragraph can be described as (1)
(a)Impractical
(b)Irritable
(c)Imperfect
(d)Practical
(v)Which society is working to spread awareness about osteoporosis? (1)
(vi)Soft drinks are not a good choice.Why? (1)
(vii)Mention reasons that lead to osteoporosis. (2)
(viiii)Lifestyle changes can help treat this bone disease. Explain how. (2)
(ix)List the impact of osteoporosis on people since its development from childhood. (2)
2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow- (10)
(A) MahaKumbh is observed after every 12 years in India. Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 at Prayagraj was the largest spiritual gathering ever happened. This tradition is a symbol of spiritual cleansing and unity.
This year around 662 million devotees witnessed the Mela from all over the world. On the final day alone over 50.18 million people attended. No. of Visitors at Mahakumbh.
S.No Year No of visitors ( in millions)
1 198915
2 2001 72
3 2013 120
4 2025 660
(B) The management of this celebration is an example of exceptional organizational capability. The authorities deployed mobile health units, over 50000 security personnels, AI based surveillance and crowd management system, AI powered cameras, over 400 kms of temporary roads were built to manage the traffic.69000 LED and solar hybrid streetlights were used.
(C) Maha-Kumbh significantly contributed to the economy also. Shopkeepers, boatmen, religious service providers, artisans got direct employment. It contributed 2 lakh crore+ revenue to UP government. The hospitality and travel sector, retail sector were the sectors that were majorly benefited by this Mela.
(D) This year Mela was observed between January 13 and February 26,2025. 9 permanent and 12 kms of temporary ghats were built.15000 sanitation workers- maintained cleanliness. Maha Kumbh 2025 will be known for renewable energy use, waste management, plastic reduction. These sustainable practices were used to protect the environment.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:
(i)The difference in THE number of visitors between Maha Kumbh 2025 and 2013 is (1)
(a)660 million
(b)540 million
(c)120 million
(d)780 million
(ii)Choose the word from the passage that can replace the word ‘Allocate’
(a)Surveillance
(b)Deploy
(c)Sustainable
(d)Hospitality
(iii)Maha Kumbh 2025 was observed for (1)
(a)39 days
(b)51 days
(c)30 days
(d)45 days
(iv) Maha Kumbh is celebrated after ( 1)
(a)5 years
(b)7 years
(c)8 years
(d)12 years
(vi) A gathering of 660 million would have caused a great trouble to the environment. What measures were taken to protect the environment? (2)
(vii)How did the Maha Kumbh contribute to the economy? (2)
(viii)Organizing an event like Maha Kumbh needs exceptional planning and execution. List the measures taken to organize this event. (2)
(Section – B)
CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS:-
3. A massive landslide in Uttarkashi had caused a great loss of life and property. Draft a (4) notice in 50 words appealing the students and staff to donate clothes, money and other relief products. You are Praveen/Prabha Head Boy /Head Girl of your school.
OR
You have observed that the books and study material of senior students can be reused next year by the students who struggle to purchase this study material. As the Principal of your school draft a notice in about 50 words asking students to donate their study material.
4. Your school is organizing a seminar on Cultural Diversity and National ( 4) Integration. Draft an invitation card in about 50 words to be sent to guests and parents mentioning the necessary details.
OR
Your school is organizing the School Annual Day next week. Your school wishes to honour an old student of your school Mr. Ajay Pandey who is now serving as District Magistrate of your district.
You are Raj/ Reena Head Boy/ Head Girl of your school. Write a formal invitation in about 50 words inviting Mr. Ajay Pandey as Chief Guest on school Annual Day.
5. Mr. K. Sharma the Inspector of your town came to your school and gave lot of (5) information on Road Safety to the students and staff. You are pleased with this programme and have come to know about many rules on road safety for the first time.
Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper in about 120-150 words expressing your views and details of the programme.
OR
RK Memorial School, Requires PGT Physics, Qualification Master’s degree in physics,B.Ed course.Work Experience Minimum 2 years teaching experience.Candidates who possess exposure to extra-curricular activities and sound academic background will be given preference.
Contact: RK Memorial School Haldwani , Ph No 123456 on any working day ,Draft an application in response to the advertisement giving your detailed resume.(Word limit 120-150 words)
6. You went to a village to cover a story for your news channel on flood that has (5) taken several lives. You are Pranav/Priya, write a newspaper report as the reporter of the paper.
OR
Our sense of duty toward our country alone can help in achieving the target of keeping our country clean. Write an article on The Importance of Cleanliness for Viksit Bharat in 120- 150 words.
( SECTION – C)
LITERATURE TEXT BOOK AND SUPPLEMENTARY READING TEXT :-
7.Read the extract given below and answer the question that follow:
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shapes of beauty moves away the pall
(i)The rhyme scheme of the above lines is (1)
(a) ababc
(b) aabbc
(c) abcab
(d) abbcc
(ii) Assertion (A): We want to live despite disappointments and lack of good-natured men
Reason(R): We want to weave a garland of flowers for the earth.
(a)A is true, but R is false
(b)A is false but R is true
(c)Both A and R are true, and R is correct explanation of A
(d)Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
(iii)Name the poem and the poet. (1)
(iv)State True or False (1)
Unhealthy and wrong paths are worthy to be followed.
(v) What do you infer by the word ‘pall’? (1)
(vi)How do things of beauty affect us? (1)
OR
Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool
Find even the ivory needle hard to pull
The massive weight of uncle’s wedding band-Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.
When aunt is dead, her terrified hands will lie
Still ringed with the ordeals she was mastered by
(i)’Massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’ stands for (1)
(a) Too much weight of the wedding band
(b) Burden of marital responsibilities
(c)Big size of wedding band
(d)Her inability to lift weight
(ii)The term ‘sits heavily’ shows (1)
(a)Happy marriage
(b)Inability to sit
(c)Unhappy married life
(d)Love for wedding band
(iii)Why can’t she pull the ivory needle? (1)
(iv) Name the poem and the poet. (1)
(v) What is suggested by the word ‘ordeals’ here (1)
(vi)What will happen after aunt’s death (1)
8. Read the extract and answer the questions that follow:-
I cried aloud, shaking my head all the while until I felt the cold blades of the scissors against my neck, and heard them gnaw off one of my thick braids. Then I lost my spirit. Since the day I was taken from my mother I had suffered extreme indignities. People had stared at me.
I had been tossed about in the air like a wooden puppet. And now my long hair was shingled like a coward’s! In my anguish I moaned for my mother, but no one came to comfort me. Not a soul reasoned quietly with me, as my own mother used to do; for now I was only one of many little animals driven by a herder.
(i) The writer lost her spirit because (1)
(a)She did not like her school
(b)She did not like her friends
(c)She was provided untidy clothes
(d) She was given an unwanted haircut
(ii) The girl compared herself to a (1)
(a)Braid
(b)Bread
(c)Puppet
(d)Doll
(iii)State True or False (1)
The girl cried for her mother to comfort her.
(iv) Find a word from the passage which means ‘fury’ (1)
OR
Read the following text carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The reason the programme has been so successful is because it is impossible to go anywhere near the South Pole and not be affected by it.
It’s easy to be blasé about polar ice caps melting while sitting in the comfort zone of your respective latitude and longitude, but when you can visibly see glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing you begin to realize that the threat of global warming is real.
Antarctica because of her simple eco system and lack of biodiversity, is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have big repercussions.
(i) The programme was successful because (1)
(a) Author participated in it
(b) Everyone was well educated
(c) It was impossible to go near South Pole
(d) Lot of money was spent
(ii) The synonym of repercussion is (1)
(a) Effect
(b) Patience
(c) Diligence
(d) Pollution
(iii)Name the lesson from where this extract is taken (1)
(iv)State True or False (1)
The threat of global warming is real.
Read the following text carefully and answer the questions that follow:
9. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:-
Morning found the town of Moitihari black with the peasants. They did not know Gandhi’s record in South Africa. They had merely heard that a Mahatma who wanted to help them was in trouble with the authorities.
Their spontaneous demonstration in thousands around the courthouse was the beginning of their liberation from the fear of the British. The officials felt powerless without Gandhi’s cooperation. He helped them regulate the crowd.
He was polite and friendly. He was giving them concrete proof that their might, hitherto dreaded and unquestioned, could be challenged by Indians. The government was baffled. The prosecutor requested the judge to postpone the trial.
(i)Where did the peasants gather? (1)
(ii)Did people know what Gandhiji had done in Africa? (1)
(iii)People came in thousands around the courthouse because (1)
(a)They were revolutionaries
(b)People came to help a Mahatma in trouble
(c)People wanted to spend time
(d)People came to see the courthouse
(iv)Why were the British officials powerless? (1)
(v)The British government was scared and they (1)
(a)Decided to run away
(b)Increased tax on people
(c)Postponed the trial
(d)Started giving grants for peasants
(vi)Why did Gandhiji say that the beginning of liberation from the fear of British started?
(1)
OR
“Honoured and noble Miss, Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a real captain- for I do not want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas season by a thief; but youcan give back the money to the old man on the roadside, who has the money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for poor wanderers.
The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to t captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself.
(i)Why didn’t the peddler want to embarrass the girl (1)
(a) He had thirty kronors.
(b)She treated him like a captain.
(c) He was not well.
(d) It was his father whom he wanted to embarrass.
(ii)Who is noble Miss in the above lines? (1)
(iii)Why did he leave a rattrap for the girl as gift? (1)
(iv)The peddler compared himself to a………if he would have been caught. (1)
Fill in the bank using one of the options given below
(a) Valet
(b) Girl
(c) Rat
(d) Father
(v) How does money unattended work for people like the peddler? (1)
(vi) What would happen if girl behaved with the peddler rudely like her father? (1)
10. Answer any five of the following questions in about 40-50 words each. (2×5=10)
(a) How do things of beauty help us in our troubles?
(b) Gandhiji had not thought that he would have to live in Champaran for a year? Why he
stayed there for a year?
(c) Gemini studio was a fine example of national integration. Why?
(d) Mukesh dreams of cars but does not dream of flying planes. What stopped Mukesh to
think of flying planes?
(e) Franz finds that studying is worth and it was he who slipped away from studies. How did
Franz come to this conclusion?
(f) How do cars bring hope to the lives of people in the poem ‘A roadside stand´ ?
11. Answer any two of the following questions in about 40-50 words. 2×2=4
(i) How did Charley confirm that his psychiatrist friend had found ‘The Third Level’?
(ii) Explain the complexes that Derry suffered from.
(iii)Why is Antarctica the ideal place to study environmental changes?
12. Answer the following questions in about 120-150 words. (5)
Compare the dreams and aspirations of Mukesh and Saheb while also contrasting their perceptions towards their family profession.
OR
Where there is a will, there is a way. Relate this proverb with the experience and deep meaning the writer learnt after the drowning incident in the lesson ‘Deep Water’.
13. Answer the following questions in about 120-150 words. (5)
If we have friends or subordinates who flatter only, we do not need enemies. Justify this statement with reference to the lesson ‘The Tiger King’?
OR
We must build our perspective after considering all things, facts and realities. Do you agree with this statement with reference to the lesson ‘On The Face Of It’?
