CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Sample Paper 2026-27 with Solutions

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

(1) Water is one of the most essential resources on Earth, yet it is often taken for granted. Despite its abundance, the reality is that only a small fraction of the world's water is fresh and available for human use. With increasing populations, climate change, and industrial demands, the pressure on our water resources is growing. This makes water conservation not just a collective responsibility but a crucial individual duty. Each person's effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource for future generations.

(2) One of the primary reasons individual water conservation efforts are so important is the cumulative effect of small actions which may seem trivial on their own. However, when multiplied by millions of people, these actions can lead to substantial water savings. For example, a single dripping tap can waste over 15 litres of water a day. Imagine the water saved if every household in a city repaired just one leaky faucet. This highlights the power of collective individual actions in reducing water waste.

(3) Moreover, personal efforts towards water conservation often lead to greater awareness and education. When individuals take steps to conserve water, they become more conscious of their water usage and the importance of this resource. This awareness can then spread within communities, inspiring others to adopt similar practices. For instance, a family that installs water-saving devices in their home may encourage neighbours and friends to do the same, creating a ripple effect.

(4) In addition to daily habits, individuals can also make a difference through more significant lifestyle choices. For instance, opting for drought-resistant plants in gardens and supporting water-efficient agriculture can all contribute to water conservation. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is one of the largest consumers of water globally. By supporting sustainable farming practices, individuals can indirectly reduce the water footprint of their food.

(5) Critics might argue that individual efforts are negligible compared to the large-scale water consumption by industries and agriculture. However, this perspective overlooks the potential for individual actions to drive systemic change. When people collectively make water-conscious choices, they send a powerful message to businesses and policymakers about the importance of conservation.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:

i. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase "each person's effort towards conserving water can significantly impact the preservation of this vital resource" emphasize? 

ii. Select the option that best reflects the concept of a "ripple effect" in the context of student life at school. 

• A. A student's act of volunteering at a local charity leads to the school administration organising a large-scale fundraising event.

• B. A student who consistently follows good study practices inspires classmates to improve their own study routines, creating a culture of academic excellence in the class.

• C. A student completing their homework late is penalized by the class teacher.

• D. A group of students taking part in a mandatory sports activity.

iii. State whether the following statement is TRUE or FALSE:

Critics argue that individual water conservation efforts are more effective than industrial measures. 

iv. Which of the following is a sustainable farming practice mentioned or implied in paragraph 4? 

• A. Using high chemical fertilizers to increase yields.

• B. Clearing natural vegetation for farming expansion.

• C. Implementing crop choices and methods that reduce the overall water footprint.

• D. Monoculture farming for efficiency.

v. Complete the sentence: Water is often taken for granted despite its essential nature because _______________. 

vi. Support the writer's idea that small individual actions towards water conservation are not trivial. (Paragraph 2) 

vii. List any two points that a powerful message sent to businesses and policymakers about water conservation might include. (Paragraph 5)

viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option: In the phrase "culture of sustainability", the word "culture" refers to: 

• A. A set of beliefs and practices shared by a group

• B. Artistic and traditional heritage

• C. Popular urban lifestyle habits

• D. Scientific techniques used in development

2. Read the passage given below: 

(1) The growing preference for indigenous craft items is a welcome trend in today's globalised world, where mass-produced goods often dominate markets. These handcrafted products, rooted in the cultural and artistic traditions of their regions, offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They symbolise sustainability, support local economies, and preserve the heritage of diverse communities.

(2) One of the primary reasons for choosing indigenous crafts is their eco-friendliness. Unlike factory-made products, most traditional crafts are created using natural, locally sourced materials. Artisans often employ time-tested methods that minimise waste and avoid harmful industrial processes. For example, pottery made from local clay, handwoven textiles using organic dyes, and bamboo-based crafts all have a much lower environmental footprint.

(3) Supporting indigenous crafts also strengthens local economies. Many artisans depend solely on their craft for livelihood, often working in small communities where other employment opportunities are limited. Purchasing their products provides a direct income, empowering them and encouraging craftsmanship. Initiatives like fair trade ensure artisans receive fair wages, fostering economic stability.

(4) Moreover, indigenous craft items help preserve cultural heritage. Every handcrafted product carries a story—a glimpse into the traditions and beliefs passed down through generations. In an era where cultural homogenisation threatens diversity, opting for local crafts keeps these traditions alive.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:

i. Why is the growing preference for indigenous craft items described as a 'welcome trend' in paragraph 1? 

ii. According to paragraph 1, indigenous craft items have all of the following qualities EXCEPT:

• A. Handcrafted quality

• B. Rooted in artistic traditions

• C. High machine-driven precision

• D. Aesthetic appeal

iii. Complete the analogy by selecting the correct option: 

fair trade : fair wages :: _______________ : _______________ 

• A. employment : job security

• B. mass production : reduced prices

• C. artisan : factory owner

• D. local craft : machine repair

iv. What does the phrase "time-tested methods" in paragraph 2 suggest? 

• A. Techniques that are outdated and slow.
• B. Methods refined and proven effective over generations.
• C. Industrial processes that prioritize speed over quality
• D. Experimental ideas that are unproven.

v. Select the option that correctly identifies the main ideas of Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 4:

• A. Main Idea of Para 3: Cultural Heritage | Main Idea of Para 4: Factory Efficiency
• B. Main Idea of Para 3: Economic Empowerment | Main Idea of Para 4: Cultural Preservation
• C. Main Idea of Para 3: Environmental Harm | Main Idea of Para 4: Globalisation
• D. Main Idea of Para 3: Machine Automation | Main Idea of Para 4: Local Travel

vi. Why is supporting indigenous crafts considered an effective way to improve the economic conditions of small communities?

vii. Complete the sentence suitably:

The usage of locally sourced natural materials makes indigenous crafts _______________ (traditional / eco-friendly). 

viii. Elaborate in 1-2 sentences how active consumer support helps sustain indigenous crafts alongside government policies. 

SECTION B: GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (20 Marks)

3. Complete ANY TEN of twelve of the following tasks, as directed: (10 Marks)

i. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete an online update:

The climate control comment made by an activist on social media yesterday _______________ instantly.

• A. blow up
• B. blew up
• C. is blown
• D. will be blown

ii. Read the conversation between a doctor and his patient. Complete the sentence by reporting the patient's reply correctly:

Doctor: Do you feel down from time-to-time, Mr. Gopalan?

Patient: Yes, I do not stay in a good mood.

The doctor asked Mr. Gopalan if he felt down from time to time, to which the patient affirmed that _______________.

iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank for the line from a health magazine:

"If you smoke, statistically your life story _______________ end 15% before it should."

• A. must
• B. should
• C. will
• D. ought to

iv. Identify the error and supply the correction for the line from a life skills book:

"The road to success is not the bed of roses."

v. Complete the narrative by filling in the blank with the correct option:

As I was standing on the dock, looking out at the lake for the last time, a feeling of emptiness _______________ over me like darkness.

• A. will wash
• B. had washed
• C. will have washed
• D. washed

vi. Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in brackets:

The special subscriptions of the magazine are well _______________ (illustrate) to make reading engaging for students.

vii. Report the dialogue between a grandson and his grandfather:

Grandson: Grandpa, who are your superheroes?

Grandpa: Anyone who shows kindness and compassion to others.

In response to the question, the grandfather stated that superheroes were _______________.

viii. Identify the error in the sentence from a school magazine report and supply the correction:

"In order to balancing the sentiments of both houses, the Student Council suggested a rematch."

ix. Report the question asked by Rhea to her colleague Deepak:

"Have you finalised the presentation content to be submitted tomorrow?"

x. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option:

"Everyone says Farhana's form is great, and she _______________ become the youngest champion this year."

• A. must
• B. may
• C. ought
• D. can

xi. Select the option that correctly completes the sentence:

A group of students _______________ excited at the prospect of their field trip.

• A. are
• B. has
• C. is
• D. were

xii. Read the conversation about social media:

Teacher: How does social media influence our perception of reality?

Jagrit: It distorts our perception by showing only the highlights of people's lives.

Report Jagrit's response: Jagrit remarked that social media distorted their perception of reality by _______________.

CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS (10 Marks)

4. Attempt ANY ONE of A or B: (5 Marks)

A. You are Sunidhi Prakash, Vice Captain of Brilliant Vidyalaya, Kanpur. You noticed posters around your school premises promoting an unscientific "Wonder Diet" promising rapid weight loss. Write a letter to the Editor of The DWA in about 120 words, drawing attention to the physical and mental harms of such advertising among teenagers. Propose the implementation of a "Wholesome Lunch Month" in schools to promote healthy eating habits and body positivity.

OR

B. You are Nirmal Pillai, a resident of Aluva, Kochi. Write a letter in about 120 words to the Project Head of the E-Waste Management Cell, Electronics Vatika, New Delhi, highlighting the rising threat of e-waste pollution. Suggest community initiatives and awareness drives to manage discarded electronic items safely.

5. Attempt ANY ONE of A or B: (5 Marks)

A. Read the SWOT analysis notes below regarding a public-funded engineering college that an aspiring student, Gurmeet Kaur, is considering joining. Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words analyzing whether she should join the college.

• Strengths: Strong Curriculum, Quality Faculty, Vibrant Activity Clubs, Low Fees.
• Weaknesses: No Hostel Facility, Slow Repair Work, Underutilization of IT Services.
• Opportunities: Practice-based Research, Industry Partnerships, Strong Alumni Network.
• Threats: Public perception towards funded colleges, Declining interest in technical subjects.

OR

B. Analyze the given statement in a paragraph of 100–120 words:

"Gardening needs to be given more importance than traditional extracurricular activities like sports and dance in schools because it creates environmental stewards and hands-on outdoor learning laboratories."

Discuss arguments for and against this perspective, providing a balanced conclusion.

SECTION C: LITERATURE TEXTBOOK (40 Marks)

6. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two: (5 Marks)

Extract 6.A

"He just felt a bit dizzy. Then he flapped his wings once and he soared upwards. 'Ga, ga, ga, Ga, ga, ga, Gaw-col-ah,' his mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with another scream. Then his father flew over him screaming. He saw his two brothers and his sister flying around him curvetting and banking and soaring and diving." (Two Stories About Flying - His First Flight)

i. What effect does the young seagull's flight have on his family members? 

• A. They ignore him and fly away.

• B. They join him in the air, screaming and soaring together.

• C. They scold him for being careless.

• D. They return to the ledge to rest.

ii. Contradict the view that the young seagull celebrated his maiden flight alone. 

iii. Fill in the blank: The word 'swooped' describes a fast downwards and forward _______________ (sound / movement).

iv. How does the young seagull's feeling at this moment contrast with his earlier fear on the ledge? 

OR

Extract 6.B

"Omega: It shall be done, Sir. Remove vitamins. (Crew takes vitamins from boxes on their belts.) Present vitamins. (They hold vitamins out in front of them, stiffly.) Swallow vitamins. (They pop the vitamins into their mouths and gulp simultaneously...)Think-Tank: Excellent. Now, decipher that code. It shall be done, Sir. (They frown over the book, turning pages.) Omega: (brightly) Aha!: (brightly) Oho! Oop: (bursting into laughter) Ha, ha, ha.Think-Tank: What does it say? Tell me this instant. Transcribe, Omega. (The Book That Saved the Earth)

i. What did Think-Tank most likely mean when he ordered Omega to 'Transcribe'? 

• A. To store the book safely

• B. To read out and interpret the code aloud

• C. To destroy the book

• D. To write a new poem

ii. Complete the analogy frown : smile :: gloomily:_____________(Select from extract). 

iii. Why were the crew members instructed to swallow vitamins before reading the book? 

iv. How do the stage directions given in brackets benefit actors performing this play?

7. Read the given extracts and answer ANY ONE of the two: (5 Marks)

Extract 7.A

"He stalks in his vivid stripes

The few steps of his cage,

On pads of velvet quiet,

In his quiet rage."

(A Tiger in the Zoo)

i. Why does the poet use the word 'vivid' to describe the tiger's stripes? 

ii. Complete the statement: The phrase 'pads of velvet quiet' refers to the soft _______________ of the tiger.

iii. Explain the poetic device used in the line "In his quiet rage" and its effect. 

iv. Select the option that shares the SAME rhyme scheme as the extract (abcb): 

• A. The bird sings sweet / High in the tree / Its voice so clear / For you and me

• B. The wind blows cold / Over the hill / Night falls fast / The air is still

• C. Trees are tall / Sky is blue / Sun shines bright / All day through

• D. Rain falls down / Water flows free / Stream runs long / Into the sea

OR

Extract 7.B

"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."

(The Ball Poem)

i. What emotions are conveyed by the phrase 'desperate eyes'? 

• A. Anger and frustration

• B. Helplessness and sadness

• C. Confusion and excitement

• D. Joy and hope

ii. What does the phrase 'how to stand up' suggest about the boy's development?

iii. Identify the line/phrase from the extract which conveys that loss is a universal experience. 

iv. Complete the sentence: The lost ball in the poem serves as a symbol for _______________. 

8. Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions in 40–50 words each: 

i. Validate the statement with reference to the baby seagull's experience: "Fear doesn't exist anywhere else other than in one's mind." (His First Flight) 

ii. How does the postmaster's reaction to Lencho's letter reveal his character traits? (A Letter to God) 

iii. How does the imagery of trees moving from the house into the forest reflect themes of liberation in human life? (The Trees) 

iv. How does the repetition of her name by the speaker in the poem Amanda! highlight the tension between parental expectations and a child's desire for freedom? 

v. Give two reasons why Valli's maiden bus journey was a unique experience for an eight-year-old girl. (Madam Rides the Bus) 

9. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions in 40–50 words each: (2 x 3 = 6 Marks)

i. How does Matilda's discontent with her modest life drive the central plot of The Necklace? 

ii. Briefly evaluate the adage "Values are caught, not taught" in the context of Hari Singh and Anil's relationship in The Thief's Story. 

iii. Explain how Dr. Herriot's practical approach helped in Tricki's recovery without medication. (The Triumph of Surgery) 

10. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 100–120 words: 

A. Both The Trees and A Tiger in the Zoo deal with the theme of confinement versus the longing for freedom. Compare and contrast how both poets use elements of nature to express the urge to break free from artificial boundaries.

OR

B. Suppose Mijbil the Otter (Mijbil the Otter) and the Tiger (A Tiger in the Zoo) meet each other. Imagine and write a dialogue between them where they discuss their experiences with human captivity, care, and their feelings about natural freedom.

11. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 100–120 words: (6 Marks)

A. Evaluate how Griffin’s character in Footprints Without Feet is shaped by a combination of personal scientific ambition, misuse of discovery, and his hostile reactions toward society.

OR

B. Analyze how Ausable uses psychological sharpness and narrative misdirection rather than physical strength to outsmart Max in The Midnight Visitor.

Question No.

Correct Option / Answer

Context / Details

1.ii

B

Student study habits inspiring peers is a direct parallel of a 'ripple effect'.

1.iii

FALSE

Critics argue individual efforts are negligible compared to industrial scale, not more effective.

1.iv

C

Sustainable farming involves practices that reduce water footprint and preserve resources.

1.viii

A

'Culture' refers to a shared set of beliefs and daily practices within a community.

2.ii

C

Indigenous crafts are handcrafted, not mass-produced with high machine precision.

2.iii

A

Fair trade leads to fair wages, just as employment leads to job security.

2.iv

B

'Time-tested' implies methods refined and proven over long periods.

2.v

B

Para 3 focuses on Economic Empowerment/Livelihood; Para 4 focuses on Cultural Preservation.

3.i

B

'blew up' (past tense appropriate for action happened yesterday).

3.iii

C

'will' indicates a statistical future prediction.

3.v

D

'washed' maintains simple past narrative tense.

3.x

B

'may' expresses possibility/likelihood.

3.xi

C

'is' (collective noun 'group' takes a singular verb).

6.A.i

B

The family joins him soaring, flying, and screaming together in joy.

6.B.i

B

'Transcribe' means to decode, read out, and interpret the text.

7.A.iv

B

Follows the abcb rhyme scheme (cold-A, hill-B, fast-C, still-B).

7.B.i

B

'Desperate eyes' reflects feelings of sadness, shock, and helplessness.