CBSE Class 10 English Pre-Board Sample Paper 2025 with Solutions: Download PDF

Particulars

Details

Board

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Class

10

Academic Year

2025-26

Subject

English Language & Literature

Subject Code

184

Section

3 Sections (A,B,C)

Theory Marks

80

Practical Marks

20

Total Marks

100

Exam Duration

3 Hours

Section

Details

Marks

Reading

Unseen passages

20

Writing & Grammar

Letter, Analytical Paragraph, Grammar

20

Literature

First Flight & Footprints Without Feet

40

Total

80

1.Read the passage given below carefully. (10 Marks)

1. Everybody wants to succeed in life. For some, success means achieving whatever they desire or dream. For many it is the name, fame and social position. Whatever be the meaning of success, it is success which makes a man popular.

2.All great men have been successful. They are remembered for their great achievements. But it is certain that success comes to those who are sincere, hardworking, loyal and committed to their goals. Success has been man’s greatest motivation. It is very important for all. Success has a great effect on life. It brings pleasure and pride. It gives a sense of fulfillment. It means all-around development. Everybody hopes to be successful in life. But success smiles on those who have a proper approach, planning, vision and stamina. A proper and timely application of all these things is bound to bear fruit. One cannot be successful without cultivating these certain basic things in life. It is very difficult to set out on a journey without knowing one’s goals and purposes. Clarity of the objective is a must to succeed in life. A focused approach with proper planning is certain to bring success. Indecision and insincerity are big obstacles on the path to success. 

3.One should have the capability, capacity and resources to turn one’s dreams into reality. Mere desire cannot bring you success. The desire should be weighed against factors like capability and resources. This is the basic requirement of success. The next important thing is the eagerness, seriousness and the urge to be successful. It is the driving force which decides the success. It is the first step on the ladder of success.

4.One needs to pursue one’s goals with sincerity and passion. One should always be in high spirits. Lack of such spirit leads to an inferiority complex which is a big obstruction on the path to success. Time is also a deciding factor. Only the punctual and committed have succeeded in life. Lives of great men are examples of this. They had all these qualities in plenty which helped them rise to the peak of success.

5.Hard labour is also one of the basic requirements of success. There is no substitute for hard labour. It alone can take one to the peak of success. Every success has a ratio of five percent inspiration and ninety-five percent perspiration. It is the patience, persistence and perseverance which play a decisive role in achieving success. Failures are the pillars of success as they are our stepping-stones and we must get up and start again and be motivated. 

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions.     

1. According to the author, what is the first and foremost step on the journey to achieve success? (2)

2. Choose the option that best conveys the message in – ‘It gives a sense of fulfillment’  (1). 

(a)Failure makes you understand success.

(b)Achieving success feels like a person’s life’s purpose is fulfilled.

(c)Hard work never goes unrewarded.

(d)Success means achieving everything you want.

3. Select the option with the underlined words that can suitably replace ‘persistence’ (paragraph 5). (1)

(a)He admired her dogged continuing effort in pursuing the job.

(b)By the time the rebel troops arrived, the village had already been cast aside.

(c)The son was reluctant to turn over involvement in the company.

(d)This illness induced a spiritual change, and he resolved to sign away whatever kept him back from God.

4. A Metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. (1)

From the options given below, select a phrase from the above passage that can be an example of metaphor.

(a)“…labour is also one of the basic requirements…”

(b)“… they are our stepping-stones…”

(c)“It is the first step on the ladder of success.”

(d)Both (b) and (c)

5. Which of the following shows the correct meaning of the phrase – “Whatever be the meaning of success”? (1)

(a)Success means to become powerful, rich and famous.

(b)Success can mean different things to different people.

(c)Success is the acquiring of money through whichever method possible.

(d)Success is the acquiring of knowledge through whichever method possible.

6. Study the following statements. (1)

(A)Everybody wants to succeed in life.

(B)Hard work cannot be substituted with anything.

(a)(A) is right (B) is wrong

(b)(B) is right (A) is wrong

(c)Both (A) and (B) are right

(d) Both (A) and (B) are wrong

7. What qualities did the great men who have been successful display, according to the author? (2)

8. What does the writer advise, in paragraph 4? (1)                                                             

(a)To work diligently

(b)To be a lethargic person to achieve success

(c)To be passionate and sincere

(d)To dream of riches and success

2.Read the passage given below carefully. (10 Marks)

1.Crash dieting may help you lose weight, in the short term, but, ultimately it can hinder weight loss in the long term, as most of the weight that you have lost with crash dieting will bounce back, meaning you will gain all the weight that you have lost and more. Crash dieting not only removes fat but also lean muscle and tissue.

2. Contrary to the belief of many who start this diet, this form of dieting is neither healthy nor successful in achieving long  term weight loss as it induces the slowing down of  the body’s basal metabolic rate- the body seeks to conserve every calorie and so weight loss becomes increasingly difficult. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body needs on a daily basis, to maintain its regular activities. This means your body will need fewer calories than it did previously, making weight gain more likely once you  stop dieting.

3. Most crash diets involve eating low-calorie foods for several weeks or eating the same food or food groups for several weeks. Even if you’re only trying the diet for a week or two, eating such a strict diet of the same foods can cause nutritional deficiencies. Eliminating one or more food groups will not provide you with adequate, long-term nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies such as this can have multiple immediate side effects such as haggard look, dark under eyes, dull skin, sloppy posture and less stamina.

4. This is also why exercise is recommended in any weight-loss plan to build muscle and  maintain your metabolic rate. Again common mistakes that are observed with exercise are joining the gym only till the New Year, so that you can lose weight and once the party is over, the party for not exercising continues. On the other hand, we have some who make New Year resolutions and with the gym memberships which are so tempting, especially during the New Year, take up an exercise programme during the new year and to make a resolution about exercise, provided you do not break your resolution, and continue exercising year long, what is important is consistency.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.                    10x1=10

(i) Which of the following is TRUE about crash dieting as per the passage? (1)

1) It helps you lose weight permanently.

2) It only removes fat.

3)  It is neither healthy nor successful in achieving long-term weight loss.

4)  It involves eating low-calorie foods for several weeks.

1. 1 & 2                      

2. 1 & 4                    

3. 3&4                                        

4. 1&3

(ii)The basic plan in diet plans is (1)

1. They involve eating the same food/food groups for several weeks.

2. They involve eating high-calorie foods.

3. They involve eating low-calorie foods for several weeks which lead to nutritional deficiencies.

      4. They involve fasting for 3 days in a week.

(A) 1 and 2                

(B) 1 and 3                  

(C) Only 4                             

(D) Only 2

(iii)The correct definition of basal metabolic rate is. (1)

(A) Amount of exercise your body needs on a daily basis.

(B) Amount of rest your body needs on a daily basis.

(C) Amount of food your body needs on a daily basis.

(D) Amount of calories your body needs on a daily basis.

(iv)Which of the following will be the suitable title for the given passage? (1)

(A) How Crash Dieting Works?                                

(B) The Benefits of Crash Dieting

(C) The Dangers of Crash Dieting                           

(D) When and How to Diet.

(v) Nutritional deficiencies can lead to (1)

1. Lustrous skin

2. Reduced stamina

3. Tired look

4. Confident look

5. Sloppy posture

6. Dark Circles

7. Dull skin

(A)  1, 2 &3         

(B) 2,3,4,5,& 7                             

(C)  2,3,5,&6                    

(D) 1,4& 6

(vi) The author does not agree with (1)

1. Taking up annual gym memberships.

2. Breaking the resolution to crash-diet.

3.  Giving up annual gym memberships.

4.  Breaking the resolution for gymming.

(A) 1 and 4            

(B) 2 and 3                 

(C)  Only 4                                    

(D)  Only 3

(vii) The correct meaning of ‘take up’ as used in the Para of the passage is (1)

(viii) Which of the following words is the opposite of ‘joining’ as used in Para 3? (1)

(ix) Give a harmful effect of a crash diet? (1)

(x) What is the basal metabolic rate? (1)

GRAMMAR (10 Marks): Attempt ANY TEN of the following questions

(i) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete this office virtue. 

Every employee______ considers himself as a part of the team. 

(A) need          

(B) had to                   

(C) needs to                                 

(D) had

(ii) Identify the error in the given sentence, from an art magazine report and supply the correction.

Madhubani Painting is one of the many traditional Indian art forms. It is but known as Mithila or Godhna paintings.

Use the given format for your response.

(iii) Report the dialogue between a doctor and patient, by completing the sentence:

Doctor: You must exercise daily to keep your heart fit.

Patient: Is it enough if I go for a daily morning walk and do some breathing exercises?

The doctor advised the patient that he had to keep his heart fit. The patient questioned whether it was enough if he__________________.

(iv) Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the given line, from the insect corner of a daily magazine. Spiders are one of the most fascinating creatures. Several hundred species are………. in India.

(A) found                   

(B) find             

(C) lose                

(D) lost

(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the given narration about two friends.

Two friends were walking…………….. a desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument and one friend slapped the other one on the face.

(A) from             

(B) above                            

(C) through                                           

(D) by

(vi) Read the conversation between Seema and Rita. Complete the sentences by reporting Rita's reply correctly.

Seema: Why haven't you brought my practical file?

Rita: I had gone to my uncle's house with my parents, so I forgot to keep it.

Seems asked Rita that why had she not brought her practical file. Rita said………………

(vii) Select the correct option to complete the narration of the dialogue between Shilpa and Jaya:

Shilpa: Can I borrow your English textbook.

Jaya: Sure you can. But when will you return?

Shilpa wants to borrow Jaya’s English textbook but she asks her………..

1. When she will return

2. When she had returned

3. When she would return

4. When are you return

(viii) Fill in the blank choosing correct option.

There are…………books in the library.

a)Some           

b) few           

c) many          

d) a

(ix) Complete the given narration by filling in the blank with correct option.

He went there so that he………..borrow money.

a)May                         

b) will 

c) might                            

d) should

(x) Report the dialogue between mother and daughter by completing the sentence.

Mother: Who is dear to you mother or grandmother?

Daughter: Anyone who shows kindness.

In response to the question, grand daughter says that……… .

(xi) Fill in the blank by using correct option.

In the 19th century, it……….two or three days to cross North America by a covered wagon.

a)took          

b) takes             

c) take            

d) will take

(xii) Complete the sentence by using the correct word.

 Nobody …………(know) the problems I have faced .

WRITING (10 Marks)

4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5 Marks)

1. You are Nalini / Naman Hostel Warden of ABC Matriculation School, Pune. Write a letter to the Sales Manager, Bharat Electronics and Domestic Appliances, Park Street, Mumbai placing an order for a few fans, microwave ovens and geysers that you wish to purchase for the hostel. Also ask for the discount permissible on the purchase.

OR

2. There has been a spate of chain and mobile snatching incidents in your locality. Masked youths come on motorbikes, commit the crime and run away without being caught or traced causing a lot of insecurity and fear among the residents. Write a letter in 100-120 words to the editor of a local newspaper drawing attention of the concerned authorities to the problem. You are Shweta Kapoor, Secretary, RWA Anand Niketan, Agra.

5. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below. (5 Marks)

1. The graph below shows how people buy music. Analyse the given data and write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words.

OR

2. A survey was conducted by a school to discuss the role that Information Technology/Computers play in the growth and development of children. The data is given below in the form of a pie chart. Write a paragraph analysing the data.

6. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. (5 Marks)

1. I finished my poem, and it was beautiful! It was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby ducklings that were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Luckily, Mr Keesing took the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments, and to several other classes as well.                              

( From the Diary of Anne Frank)

(i) Who is 'he' in the passage?

(A) her classmate            

(B) her father        

(C) Mr. Keesing                     

(D) his history teacher

(ii) Which word in the passage means the same as 'to laugh'?

(A) joke                           

(B) ridiculous                           

(C) roared                               

(D) entitled

(iii) During which lesson he had finally had enough?

(A) first lesson                  

(B) second lesson                 

(C) fourth lesson                    

(D) third lesson

(iv) Mr. Keesing was trying to play a…………… on Anne.

(A) fun                              

(B) song                                

(C) joke                                          

(D) trick

(v) What was the title of the third essay Anne was assigned by Mr. Keesing?

(A) 'A Chatterbox'

(B) 'An Incorrigible Chatterbox'

(C) 'Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox'

(D) 'The Importance of Talking'

OR

2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. (5 Marks)

All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope: the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience. Lencho was an ox of a man, working like an animal in the fields, but still he knew how to write.

(i)‘Lencho thought only of his one hope, whose eyes see everything’.1

1. His own eyes

2. The postman’s eyes

3. God’s eyes

4. None of the above

 (ii) Lencho was hoping for help as 1

a) his fields were destroyed by pests.

b) his fields had been destroyed due to floods.

(c) his fields had been destroyed in the storm.

(d) None of the above

(iii) What was Lencho going to do? 1

a) Go to bank for loan

b) Write a letter to God

(c) Ask for help

(d) Have faith in God

(iv) What does ‘Ox of a man’ mean? 2

7. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. (5 Marks)

1. He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, 

The epistemology of loss, how to stand up 

Knowing what every man must one day know 

And most know many days, how to stand up.

(i)The boy is learning (1)

(a)the meaning of life

(b)meaning of responsibility

(c)to cope up with loss

(d)meaning of ‘epistemology’ 

(ii)The word ‘epistemology’ means (1)

(a)imitation

(b)methodology

(c)philosophy

(d)assertion

(iii)What is the rhyming scheme of the stanza? (1)

(a)abcbc

(b)ababab

(c)abcba

(d)No rhyming scheme

(iv)What message does the poet convey in this poem? (2)

OR

2. An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy

As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down.

All his young days in the harbour where His ball bent I would not intrude on him,

A dime another ball is worthless. Now

He senses first responsibility

In a world of possessions.                                                                                     

(The Ball Poem)

(i) The boy is in grief because his ball has been………………….. (1)

(A) stolen                   

(B) misplaced                           

(C) broken                                      

(D) lost

(ii) The boy feels………….. and stands rigid because he is thinking about his days when he was young. (1)

(A) troubled               

(B) happy                                 

(C) sorry                                  

(D) Angry

(iii) The poet does not offer to give him the new ball because he wants to teach him the value of………….. (1)

(A) duty                     

(B) authority                 

(C) responsibility                       

(D) money

(iv) Who senses his first responsibility in these lines? (1)

(A) The girl                

(B) The boy                   

(C) The poet                              

(D) The reader

(v) Which word in the extract means the same as, 'straight not bending'? (1)

(A) trembling                   

(B) harbor                       

(C) rigid                           

(D) intrude

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following in about 40-50 words each. (12 Marks)

1. How is the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognized in modern India? (3)

2. Why is 10th May 1994 important for South Africa? (3)

3. What shocked the narrator after landing safely? (3)

4. How did the Seagull's parents try to make him fly? (3)

5. What were Lencho's feelings when he found the letter with money in it? What did he do after opening the letter? (3)

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following questions in 40-50 words each. (6 Marks)

1. What information did Ausable give about the imaginary balcony? Why did he do so? (3)

2. Richard's mother was his companion and spent a lot of time with him. A parent should try to be a companion to a child. Justify. (3)

3. Why did Matilda throw the invitation spitefully? (3)

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following in 100-120 words each. (6 Marks)

1. Lencho had faith in God but lacked faith in humanity. Elaborate with reference to 'A Letter to God '. (6)

OR

2. Why do you think the otter was not friendly at first with the narrator? How did it behave at first? Why? (6)

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 100-120 words. (6 Marks)

1. Hari Singh didn’t board the express and returned to Anil. It shows that everyone has some conscience that they do not put into practice. Elaborate with reference to ‘The Thief’s story’. (6)

OR

2. How can you say that Mr.Loisel was a simple man and loved his wife very much? (6)

1. 

1. (a) Keenness and the urge to be successful are the first steps on the journey to achieve success. (2)

2. (b)“Achieving success feels like a person’s life’s purpose is fulfilled” - gives the meaning of the sentence in the question. (1)

3. (a)‘Persistence’ means continual effort to achieve something. Hence, the sentence in option (a) contains the words appropriately to replace ‘persistance’.(1)

4. (d)The figure of speech metaphor is used in both the phrases in options (b) and (c). Hence, option (d) is the correct answer. (1)

5. (b)“Success can mean different things to different people” – is the correct meaning 

of the phrase given in the question. (1)

6. (c)Both (A) and (B) are right.

7. (b)The great men who have been successfully display labour and determination, according to the author. (2)

8. (c)The writer of the passage gives the advice for us to be passionate and sincere.(1)

2. 

1. C 3 & 4

2. B 1 & 3

3. D amount of calories your body needs on a daily basis.

4. C The dangers of crash dieting.

5. B 2,3,5,6 and 7

6. C Only 4

7. ‘Subscribe to’ is the correct meaning of ‘take up’.

8. ‘Withdrawing’ is the opposite of joining.

9. A crash diet can make losing weight more difficult due to its strict dietary pattern.

10. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories required by the body on a daily basis to maintain its regular activity.

3. Grammar

(i) (C) needs to

(ii) 

(iii) went for a daily morning walk and did some breathing exercises.

(iv) Option (A) found

(v) Option (C) through

(vi) that she had gone to her uncle's house with her parents, so she had forgotten to keep it.

(vii) when she would return

(viii) many

(ix) might

(x) anyone who shows kindness

(xi) took

(xii) knows

Writing (Q 4 & 5)

4. A. ABC Matriculation School,

Civil Lines,

Pune 

19 November , 2022

The Sales Manager

Bharat Electronics and Domestic Appliances

Mumbai

Subject: Placing an Order for Electrical Appliances required for our Hostel

Sir,

We are running an educational institute and we need the following items for our hostel urgently as the new school session is going to start from 1st April. I request you to quote your rates and terms of supply for the following items.

If your rates and other terms and conditions suit us, we shall be pleased to place you the order. Therefore, kindly send the rates and the discount permissible on the gross purchase and also the terms of payment at the earliest. We hope to get an early response from your end.

Thank you

Yours truly

Nalini

(Hostel Warden)

OR

4.B. Anand Niketan

Agra

20th Nov, 2023

The Editor

The Heritage

Agra

Subject:- Increasing Incidents of Mobile and Chain Snatching.

Sir / Ma’am

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I want to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the above-mentioned problems in Anand Niketan area of Agra. The residents of the locality are frequently becoming the victims of mobile and chain snatchers. Masked youth come on motorbikes, commit the crime and run away without being caught or traced.

Repeated complaints have been lodged by the victims but to no avail. The officials just give assurance but nothing has been done so far to control the situation. It has caused a lot of insecurity and fear among the residents of law and order in the town and has been making the culprits bolder.

I hope this letter will awaken the concerned authorities and the situation will be very soon under control.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely,

Shweta Kapoor

(Secretary, RWA)

5. A. Trends in Buying Music

In this busy and crowded world, music has become an agency for us to be happy and relaxed. Its importance is very well depicted by the new music and new applications for music streaming being introduced everyday. The given graph illustrates the trends in music buying habits between 2011 and 2018.

The data presents three different methods of buying music: streaming, downloading and buying CDs. Overall, both downloads and physical sales of music have steadily declined. The latter has slumped since 2011, while the downturn for the former began in 2014. However, there has been a sharp rise in people streaming music since 2013. In 2011, the majority of music sales were CDs, at 55% of all sales. In contrast, streaming was not common at all. Also, although people have started to download music, it only represented 35% of sales. As sales of CDs began to fall, the era of downloads began. Downloading soon overtook physical sales in mid-2013. During the same period, with newer technology streaming doubled to 10% and started to grow more dramatically.

OR

5.B. A survey was conducted by XYZ school to discuss the role played by Computers and Information Technology in the growth and development of children. Some student representatives were also invited to add to the views given by others. Only a margin of 8% of the people opined that computers enhance creativity thus showing that they were not in favour of it. As many as 10% of people believed that computers cause eyestrain due to long sitting hours of children in front of it whereas 12% of people were of the opinion that children get access to so many sites that are inappropriate for their age. There were many others, in fact, 30% people, who believed that Information Technology increases knowledge and helps in the growth and development of a child as compared to 25% people who were of the view that computers attract a child towards itself which results in the reduction of their outdoor activities. Very few people (15%) had the opinion that it helps academically. Hence, we can sum up that 53% of the people were in favour of computer usage by children whereas there were still 47% who did not favour it.

CBSE Class 10 English Pre-Board Sample Paper 2025-26: Download PDF