CBSE Class 10 English Sample Paper 2026: The Ultimate Practice Set

 

CBSE Class 10 English Sample Paper 2026: The Ultimate Practice Set

The CBSE Class 10 English paper is designed to test your comprehension, creativity, and analytical skills. To score a 95+, you need to master the art of "Reading between the lines" and precise writing.

Below is a full-length sample paper based on the latest 2026 examination pattern.

General Instructions:

  1. This Question Paper has 3 Sections: A, B, and C.

  2. Section A (Reading): 20 Marks.

  3. Section B (Writing & Grammar): 20 Marks.

  4. Section C (Literature): 40 Marks.

SECTION A: READING SKILLS (20 Marks)

I. Read the passage given below:

(Summary: The passage discusses the shift toward sustainable "Green Cities" in 2026 and the role of urban forests in reducing heat islands.)

"By 2026, urban planning has shifted from concrete jungles to 'Living Cities.' Urban forests are no longer a luxury but a necessity. These micro-forests, often the size of a tennis court, help reduce city temperatures by up to 4°C. They act as carbon sinks and promote local biodiversity..."

Questions (10 Marks):

  1. Why are urban forests considered a "necessity" in 2026?

  2. Complete the sentence: The shift from concrete jungles to 'Living Cities' implies ________.

  3. State whether the following is True or False: Micro-forests only benefit the aesthetic value of a city.

  4. Based on the reading, how do these forests affect the "Heat Island" effect?

II. Case-Based Factual Passage:

(Based on a survey of teenage reading habits in 2025 vs 2026)

Questions (10 Marks):

  1. Which medium of reading saw the highest growth between 2025 and 2026?

  2. Inferred from the data, what is the main reason for the decline in physical book sales?

  3. (MCQ) The percentage of students using Audiobooks in 2026 is: (a) 15% (b) 25% (c) 10% (d) 40%

SECTION B: GRAMMAR & CREATIVE WRITING (20 Marks)

III. Integrated Grammar (10 Marks)

  1. Fill in the blank: "If I _______ (be) you, I would accept the offer immediately."

  2. Report the dialogue: Riya: "Where are you going?" Sam: "I am going to the library."

  3. Error Correction: "The number of students are increasing every year." (Find the error and provide the correction).

IV. Creative Writing Skills (10 Marks)

  1. Formal Letter: Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily expressing concern over the rising digital fatigue among school students. (5 Marks)

  2. Analytical Paragraph: Write an analytical paragraph in 100-120 words based on the bar chart provided in Section A (Reading Habits). (5 Marks)

SECTION C: LITERATURE (40 Marks)

V. Reference to Context (10 Marks)

"But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice."

  1. Who is the poet of these lines?

  2. What does 'Ice' symbolize in the poem?

  3. What is the rhyme scheme of the given stanza?

VI. Short Answer Questions (12 Marks)

  1. Why did Lencho call the post-office employees a "bunch of crooks"?

  2. How did Nelson Mandela’s understanding of 'freedom' change with age and experience?

  3. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly?

VII. Long Answer Questions (12 Marks)

  1. Character Sketch: Describe the transformation of Bholi from a "dumb cow" to a confident young woman. How did education play a role in this?

  2. Theme Analysis: "Greed can lead to one's downfall." Discuss this with reference to the story 'A Triumph of Surgery.'

✅ Answer Key & Marking Scheme

Grammar Solutions:

  1. were (Subjunctive mood for imaginary conditions).

  2. Riya asked Sam where he was going. Sam replied that he was going to the library.

  3. Error: are | Correction: is (Subject-verb concord: "The number of" takes a singular verb).

Literature Highlights:

  • Lencho: He called them crooks because he believed they stole 30 Pesos from the 100 Pesos he asked God for.

  • Ice Symbolism: Represents coldness, hatred, and indifference.

  • Bholi: Her transformation was fueled by the encouragement of her teacher and the power of education, allowing her to stand up against Bishamber’s greed.

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