Sample Question Paper- 2026
Subject :ENGLISH
Class : X
Time : 3 Hours Max. Marks : 80
Note : (i) This question paper is divided into four sections- A, B, C and D.
(ii) All questions are compulsory. Marks are indicated against each question.
Section– A (Reading)
Q.1- Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow-
India is a developing country; therefore there are a number of problems before us. However, the most pressing problems of our country today, are follows:
Population problem : Population problem is the major problem. It leads to many other problems. The area of India is 2.4 per cent of the area of the world. But it has 16.7 per cent of the world population.China has the largest population of the world. Next comes India.Now it is around 140 crore. We are adding every year an Australia to our population. Population problem concerns not only food, but also employment, space for the new cities, provision of clean water and modern sanitation . Price-rise : The price-rise is also a serious problem. When the prices shoot up, the common men sink deep down. The price of cereals, pulses and sugar are wonderfully shooting up. How can people who are below the poverty-line pull on their life? This turns them to be criminals.
Terrorism : The state of UttarPradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East are directly under the attack of terrorism. Pakistan is abetting and aiding terrorism in the West and North whereas China is doing the same in the North and East. Insurgency in North-East state is another serious problem.
Unemployment : The problem of unemployment is the most serious problem faced by our country. A large number of educated people are willing to work, but they cannot get it.There is a problem of security of life for the citizen, abducting, kidnapping, murders and deterioration in law and order. Add to the insecurity of people. May God save the country.
(a) How rising population affects a nation? 1
(b) Write any four pressing problems of our country? 2
(c) Explain the line, “When the prices shoot up, the common men sink deep down.”. 2
(d) Name the states affected by terrorism in India? 1
Q.2 – Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow-
In the world of sport, we have seen and heard of many captains who succeeded in making a difference to their teams. They have many attributes in common, yet they are unique in their own ways. Some are popular because of their looks, repartes , sense of humor or cheerfull disposition.Some are famous for their personal milestones and their ability to lead from the front. Some are remembered because of the most coveted trophies, they won some are considered controversial figures because of being pugnacious, aggressive, and audacious. Some are notorious for making themselves look more important than the game or sports they play; some are held and high esteem for treating the rules of the game as a sacred cow. Some mark themselves out by being able to think on their feet.These people have different perception about leaders. In the opinion of many, a successful leader distinguishes himself by being able to lead by example, communicate himself well to his teammates, take the right decision, motivate everyone to give their best, remain calm, time of crisis and out-think their counterparts. Many trend to use the number of trophies won as a very important yardstick to measure leader’s caliber. Winning trophies is indeed very important. However, it is not everything. A leader is as strong as a team. If all the players in a team are strong, the captain is going to be strong. A great leader does not need to have many great players around him. He definitely needs to have the various attributes that a successful leader
possesses. However, it is unfair to bracket a successful leader and a great leader for the former lacks something the latter has. A great leader’s credo revolves around the axiom “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. He has the ability to suffer defeats with dignity and celebrate victories, decently. Neither defeat nor success can affect his respect for others. Glory for the team is everything and personal glory is sacrificed on the altar of the team’s success. Every captain or leader wants to win; he hates to lose.
A great leader also does not want to lose. However, he does not despise failure. He looks up all failure as a teacher. It helps him see his mistakes and equip him with better weapons when his next battle arrives.
(a) Write the qualities of a successful leader? 2
(b) How does a Captain manage his team? 1
(c) What helps him to find his mistake? 1
(d) Give a suitable title to the passage. 1
(e) Choose the correct option: 2
I. Find the word from the passage which means the same as “Disputable”:
(i) Understanding (ii) Weapons (iii) Controversial (iv) Milestones
II. Find the word which is opposite in meaning to “Glory”:
(i) Failure (ii) Shame (iii) Dignity (iv) Victories
(f) Select the correct option: 2
I. In the given passage, the word “Yardstick” means:
(i) benchmark (ii) counterparts (iii) cheerful (iv) extreme
II. The opposite of the word “, Aggressive” given in the passage is:
(i) successful (ii) hostile (iii) defeat (iv) friendly
Section– B (Writing)
Q.3. You are Shivansh/Shivani of 44 Vasu Vatika, Gopinath Mandir Road, Gopeshwar, Chamoli. Devansh is your younger brother. He takes no interest in games and other activities and has become lazy.Write a letter to him, telling him the benefits of game and physical activities in human life.
ОR
You are Pushpendra/Ankita, a resident of the remote village of Kanda in the Tawaghat region of Pithoragarh district. There is no electricity and proper road connecting the village to the nearest town.Write a letter to the District Magistrate of your district requesting the concerned department to take necessary action to provide electricity and road connectivity to the villagers.
Q.4. Write a paragraph on any one of the following in about 60 words. 4
(i) If I were a teacher.
(i) Value of good Education.
(iii) My favourite person.
Q.5. On the basis of hints given below, write a paragraph in about 80 words on “Role of Education”. 5
Hints: Education………….. Importance of Education………………….. Role in Society ……………..benefits us and the nation …………… opportunities……………….success.
Section– C (Grammar)
Q.6. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of non-finites given in brackets: 1/2×4=2
(a) Education enables us ………………………..(achieve) our goals and lead a meaningful life.
(b)………………………………………… (receive) proper education is the right of every child.
(c) The teacher advised the students……………………………. (work) hard to succeed in life.
(d) People without education often struggle…………………………..(find) good employment opportunities.
Q.7. Combine the following pairs of sentences using sentence connectors given in brackets: 1×2=2
(a). Education shapes an individual’s personality. It also strengthens the moral fabric of society. (Use: not only… but also)
(b) Many people in rural areas remain uneducated. The government has launched several literacy programmes. (Use: although)
Q.8. Join the following pair of sentences as directed: 1×2=2
(a) Education is important. Many people still ignore its value. (Join using though.)
(b) The government should invest in education. The country can progress rapidly. (Join using so that.)
Q.9. Fill in the blanks with correct form of the verbs given in brackets: 1x3=3
Modern technology has …………………………….. (transform) the way people communicate. Social media platforms enable users to share ideas instantly, yet they sometime…………………. (create) a sense of isolation. Experts believe that if we ……….(use) technology wisely, it could greatly improve human connection.
Q.10. Complete the following sentences using suitable modals: 1×2=2
(a) Students………….. submit their assignments before the deadline to avoid penalties.
(b) Scientists warn that global warming ………………cause severe weather changes in the future.
Q.11. (a) Rearrange the following words and phrases to form meaningful sentences: 1×2=2
(i) Danby/rare/Horace/loved/and/books/expensive.
(ii) Coorg/most/is/of/one/the/regiment/the/in/Army/the/Indian/decorated.
(b) Transform the following sentences into passive voice: 1×2=2
(i) Nobody has touched it.
(ii) You should respect your elders.
Section– D (Text Book)
(Prose)
Q.12. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follows :
In life, every man has twin obligations- obligations to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children; and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country.
In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfill those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South-Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and color to fulfill both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.
(a) Who is the writer of the above passage? 1
(b) What are the twin obligations according to the writer? 1
(c) Complete the sentence – “In South Africa, a man of color ………………..” 1
(d) Meaning of “Indication”- 1
(i) Contradiction (ii) Obligations (iii) Signal (iv) Season
Q.13. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows :
The Buddha answered. “I want a handful of mustard-seed”. And when the girl in her joy, promised to procure it, the Buddha added. “The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child, husband, parent or friend.”Poor Kisa-Gotami now went from house to house and the people pitied her and said, “Here is mustard-seed; take it!” But when she asked, “Did a son or daughter, a father or mother, die in your family?” they answered her, “Alas! the living are few, but the dead are many. Do not remind us of our deepest grief.” and there was no house, but some beloved on had died in it.
(a) Why did the girl go from house to house? 1
(b) “ I want a handful of mustard -seed” Who said it and why? 1
(c) Who was Kisa Gotami? 1
(d) Find out the opposite word of “grief” from the given option. 1
(i) Condolence (ii) Beloved (iii) Joy (iv) Great
Q.14. Answer the following question in about 80 words: 5
Do you think that paper has more patience than people? Yes or No. Recall your lesson “Anne Frank”.
OR
“A baker from Goa” is a nostalgic sofa of childhood memories.
Note: Connect your childhood memories with the lesson to summarize.
Q.15. Answer the following question in about 30-40 words: 3 marks
“The proposal is a conflict of egos.” Explain it in your own words with reference to the story.
OR
What do you mean by “Oxen Meadow”? What does Lomov say about it?
(Poetry)
Q.16. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow –
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is eternal.
(a) Name the poem and the poet of the given stanza. 1
(b) What does he sense? 1
(c) Why is money called eternal? 1
OR
I am an orphan, roaming the street.
I pattern soft dust with my hushed, bare feet.
The silence is golden, the freedom is sweet.
(a) Why does Amanda wish to be an orphan ? 1
(b) Complete the sentence. The silence is……… 1
(c) Write the name of the poet of the above stanza. 1
Q.17. Answer any two of the following question in about 30-40 words each : 2×2=4
(a) What message has Robert Frost given in his poem “ Dust of Snow” ?
(b) Why do you think the tiger looks at the stars?
(c) “Belinda tickled him, she tickled him unmerciful.” Why?
(Supplementary Reader)
Q.18. Answer the following question in about 100 words : 7
“Trust and compassion can reform a person”. Justify on the basis of the story “The thief’s story”
OR
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the Necklace. Comment.
Q.19. Answer the following question in about 30-40 words – 3
Why did Mr. Herriot want to keep Tricki, as a permanent guest?
OR
“Griffin was a scientist or a lawless person.” How can you justify it?
Q.20. Answer the following question in about 50-60 words – 2
Who is the real culprit in the story ‘A Question of Trust’?
OR
Who was behind Richard Ebright’s to becoming a great scientist?
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