CBSE Class 10 Question Paper 2026 Solution English (Communicative)

FOR CBSE CLASS 10 EXAM PREPARATION

CBSE Class 10 2026
Question Paper
Solution · English
(Communicative)
EXAM YEAR TYPE SUBJECT

CBSE Class 10 2026 Question Paper Solution English (Communicative)

Notes · Sample Papers · Previous Year Papers · Mock Tests

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Marking Scheme
Strictly Confidential
(For Internal and Restricted use only)
Secondary School Examination, 2026 (X)

SUBJECT: ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE (Q.P. CODE 101/Set No 4)

EXPECTED OUTCOMES/VALUE POINTS

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SECTION – A READING SKILLS (22 marks)
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c. o questions based on the passage above.
1. Answer the following (12 )
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(i)
(ii) (B) a
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(B) reduces
enhanced serotonin and natural chemical release in brain
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(iii)
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(any 1
 long hours at desk
 convenience food

(iv) Playing a sport and consuming a lot of healthy/nutritious/wholesome/nourishing food
balances weight gain and reduces body fat. 1
(accept any other relevant answer)
(v)
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

depletes energy
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elevates body temperature which improves sleep quality by making the body work
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harder to cool down at night
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(vi)
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 Gym sessions feel like a chore/ an activity that is performed in isolation
 Sports activities are fun/competitive in nature
(vii) (Any one) 2
offers opportunities to face challenges

learn from failure and celebrate wins

fosters self-confidence / adaptability and resilience/ making one feel more capable and

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positive about life
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(viii) (Any one) (1+1=2)

m .co  help to build lean muscle while burning fat
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s e  challenge balance thereby reducing risk of falling
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g la  test the limits of endurance
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a (ix) (Any two)
 playing sports fosters social bonds and community living.
(1+1=2)

 joining a team or club brings one into a supportive network of team mates, coaches and
friends.
 shared goals, team camaraderie and cheering each other help strengthen relationships and
build a sense of belonging.

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 Social engagement not only enhances enjoyment but also encourages to stay committed,
making regular physical activity a sustainable part of life.

2. Answer the following questions, based on the given passage: (10)
(i) (any one) 1
 conserves natural environment
 appreciates local culture/uplifts local people both socially and economically
 benefits communities rather than exploiting them
 strives to protect fragile ecosystem and educate visitors
(ii) (any one) 1
 used ecotourism as a tool to convert/turn/ transform
 converted/ turned/ transformed
(any other relevant word can be accepted)

(iii) (B) selling handmade handicrafts as souvenirs. 1
(iv) (D) 2 and 5 1
(v) (any two) 2
 not all operators practise what they preach.
 some misuse the label to appear green without ethical conduct / problem of greenwashing.
 many tourists strain ecosystems causing erosion / habitat disruption / pollution in the most
well-meaning eco-tourism sites
(vi) (any one) 1
 must abide by strict code of conduct
 control its environmental footprint
 ensure genuine benefit –sharing with local communities
 respect for nature
 well managed practices

(vii) (C) erosion, habitat disruption and pollution. 1
(viii) (any two) 2
 must abide by strict code of conduct
 control its environmental footprint
 ensure genuine benefit –sharing with local communities
 respect for nature

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SECTION B – (WRITING SKILLS) (22)

3. Application writing (3)
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Format –
. c1 mark
mark
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Content –
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Accuracy
l as – 1 mark (spelling, punctuation and grammar)
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Value
 Permission to use school resource/ computer lab
 To prepare a PPT on benefits/importance/ advantages of social media
(any other relevant point can be accepted)
Note:
Sender’s address is not mandatory.

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4. Factual Description (4)

Content – 2 marks
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Organisation – 1 mark
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(Cohesive e devices and coherence of ideas)
Accuracy – 1 mark
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l punctuation and grammar)
(spelling,
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Value Points:
 Specify the place / physical description (for eg. your home/room/classroom/library/
city/ country / park/ any other place)
 Describe the atmosphere
 Mention the location
 Reason/reasons: what makes it special for you?
Note:
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Title/ Heading is not mandatory
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c. o 5. Formal Letter to Editor m.co
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(7)

las (a)
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ag Format – 1 mark (1/2 mark if more than 3 points are missing in the format)
Content – 3 marks
Organisation – 2 marks (Cohesive devices and coherence of ideas, formal tone and 2 or
3 structured paragraphs)
Accuracy – 1 mark (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

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Value Points: (Minimum 2 value points)

 Increasing cost of healthcare/ Unaffordable treatment
 Lack of access to essential medical services in rural and underprivileged areas
 Inadequate infrastructure
 Shortage of qualified doctors
 Impact on peoples’ well –being: physical disability/prolonged illness/losing loved-
ones/losing one’s own life

(any other relevant point)

Suggestions to address the problem: (Minimum 1 value point)
 Improve access to healthcare / Improve road connectivity for ambulance
 Make medical services affordable to all /Government subsidy for all/ Universal Health
coverage
 Adequate work force/qualified doctors/nurses/ medical staff
 Establish more health and wellness centres in rural and underprivileged areas

(any other relevant point)
OR

(b)

Format – 1 mark (1/2 mark if more than 3 points are missing in the format)
Content – 3 marks
Organisation – 2 marks (Cohesive devices and coherence of ideas, formal tone and 2or
3 structured paragraphs)
Accuracy – 1 mark (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

Value Points: (Minimum 2 value points)
 Climate change – the most pressing global issue
 Rising temperature / extreme weather conditions/ events- natural calamities
 Global warming/ melting glaciers and ice- caps
 Environmental degradation / Impact on agriculture/ cropping cycles/ food production
 Affect life across planet/ bio diversity / Climate refugees

(any other relevant point)

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Suggestions to combat the issue: (Minimum 1 value point)

 Youth to understand their role and act responsibly.
 Reduce carbon footprints- save electricity/ use public transport/ carpooling/ walk or
cycle wherever possible / avoid single use plastic
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 Recycling drive - E-waste/ plastic/clothes / plantation /any other

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Awareness campaigns/ street plays / poster making and slogan writing / composting/
waste segregation and disposal
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(any other relevant point)
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6. Article Writing 8

(a)
Format – 1 mark (Title and byline)
Content – 3 marks
Organisation – 3 marks (Cohesive devices and coherence of ideas, formal tone
and 2or 3 structured paragraphs)
Accuracy – 1 mark
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(spelling, punctuation and Grammar)

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Value Points: (Minimum 2 value points)
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 Importance of nurturing a space- minded generation / STEM Inspiration
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 Inculcating/ developing interest in space – study / science and technology/ astronomy
 Benefits for scientific advancement
 Technological/ economic/ geopolitical benefits
 Inspiration to youth / Global collaboration

(any other relevant point)
Recommendations for policy makers and educators: (Minimum 1 value point)
 Integrate space learning into school curriculum
 Setting up of adequate infrastructure in schools and colleges for space learning
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 Increase / accelerate investment in space travel and exploration
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 Organise / conduct national/ state/ district level competitions/ exhibitions / conferences/
seminars to generate interest in space travel and exploration.
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(b)
Format – 1 mark (Title and byline)
Content – 3 marks
Organisation – 3 marks (Cohesive devices and coherence of ideas, formal tone
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and 2 or 3 structured paragraphs)
Accuracy – 1 mark (spelling, punctuation and Grammar)

Value Points:
Importance/ benefits of educating girl child (Minimum 1 value point)
 Educating girls helps uplift individuals, families and society.
 Improves literacy rates and overall national development.
 Leads to better health, nutrition, and hygiene for families and communities.
 Educated women participate more in the workforce, become financially independent
and boost economic growth.
 Promotes gender equality, informed decision-making and reduces child marriage.

(any other relevant point)

Barriers to Girl Child Education (Minimum 1 value point)

 Poverty/ economic constraints for higher education
 Lack of neighbourhood schools, transport, or safe sanitation facilities.
 Social and cultural norms: discouraging girls’ education / early marriage and household
responsibilities.
 Safety concerns and inadequate infrastructure.

(any other relevant point)

Recommendations for Government, Schools and Students: (Minimum 1 value point)

 Promote survival, protection, and education of the girl child (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao)
 Aim for universal elementary education, with special focus on girls. (Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan)
 Encourage school attendance by providing free nutritious food (Mid-Day Meal)
 Residential schools for girls from disadvantaged communities (Kasturba Gandhi Balika
Vidyalaya)
 Create a safe and inclusive environment where girls feel respected and protected from
discrimination or harassment.
 Provide scholarships, free books, uniforms, and sanitary facilities to reduce financial
and hygiene-related barriers / sensitize teachers and staff through training on gender
sensitivity and child protection.

(any other relevant point)

SECTION – C (GRAMMAR) (10)

7. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option: (1x3=3)
(i) reduce
(ii) are emerging
(iii) are investing
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8. Identify the missing word in each line. (1x4=4)

Word before omission word after

For eg. heat in the

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i. they are released

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burning of fossil
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ii. fossil
OR
fuels An
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 ½ for word before/after
 ½ for word missing
 No credit, if either word before or after is missing or these words are completely
missing.

9. Do as Directed (1)

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(i) Don’t worry, it seems like a case of migraine. I’ll prescribe you some
medicines and also advise you to take proper rest and avoid stress.
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a g Don’t worry. I’ll prescribe you some
It seems like a case of migraine.
medicines and also advise you to take proper rest and avoid stress.

Or
It seems like a case of migraine. I’ll prescribe you some medicines and also
advise you to take proper rest and avoid stress. Don’t worry.

(ii)
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(1x2=2)
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Why he hadn’t submitted his homework the previous day/the day before/the
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sorry and that/ added that / further added that /said that/ saidlahe hadn’t been/ was
day
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was not feeling well.(sorry may be omitted)

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SECTION – D (LITERATURE TEXT BOOK) (26)

10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions briefly, for any two extracts, of the
given three, (a), (b), (c). (4+4=8)

(a)

(i) Moonlit and cloudless 1
(ii) The writer means that the goat’s bleat is so persistent/continuous/irritating/repetitive that
even a deaf/ very old tiger can hear it. 1

(iii) A platform had been constructed in a comfortable and conveniently placed tree. 1
Or
A platform had been constructed on a tree.

(iv) quarry 1

(b)

(i) The poet felt glad / honoured /happy as the snake had come like a guest/ liked him 1
(ii) The snake departed peacefully into the burning bowels of the earth/crack/ hole/fissure,
underground/under the surface of the earth. 1

(iii) It is suggested to the narrator take a stick and break/attack/ finish him off/kill him. 1
(iv) He compared it to the visit of a guest 1

(c)
(i) Mrs Slater wants to shift/ get rid of her own chest of drawers before the others/
Jordans come. 1
Or

wants to bring the bureau down to show it as her own possession before the arrival of
the Jordans
(ii) Henry reacts in a stupefied manner/is reluctant/ unwilling/thinks it is inappropriate /
doesn’t seem delicate to do so/ says he wouldn’t care to (any one) 1

(iii) Mrs Slater wants to move the shabby old chest of drawers/ chest of drawers
upstairs 1

(iv) She thinks her sister/ Elizabeth/ Mrs. Jordan can have it 1
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11. Answer any five of the following six questions, in 30-40 words each. (2x5=10)

 Content – 1
 Expression – 1

(i) (any two) 2
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 the boys sacrificed their childhood comforts

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 endured hardships and worked relentlessly, not for themselves, but to support their
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 did several odd jobs from dawn till late in the night
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 spent nothing on themselves- had meagre food/ wore shabby clothes/ tangled hair
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 their silent struggle reflected love, responsibility and an inspiring sense of duty.

(ii) (any two) 2

 The Ouija board spelt out "TRAITOR”/ “ASK HIM”, making Lavinia believe
her husband was flirting with someone through the board.
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 The Ouija board heightened the confusion/ created misunderstanding in their
married life
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
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worsened Lavinia’s suspicion, adding humour to the ghostly plot.
Gave the bulliest / best plot to John Hallock for his next story.

(iii) (any two)
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 followed the frog’s constant instructions /harsh criticism blindly
 added trills and frills / practised continuously without any rest even in the harsh
weather/exerted herself /damaged her voice/ strained her voice.
 sought/ had become used to praise and applause
 lost confidence /originality /spontaneous sweetness of her songs.

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 realized that even a single word (Oh!) could be expressed

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and timing.
treated it as a challenge/ infused sincerity into his performance / regained
satisfaction
 valued inner satisfaction more than financial reward/ payment
 left the place without taking his payment.

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(v) (any two) 2

 Ozymandias’ once-great empire has crumbled
 only ruins of the statue in the desert/ sand all around
 boastful words (King of kings) contrast sharply with the desolation around
 Ozymandias, once the king of kings, is now a ‘colossal wreck’.
 Power and glory will fade away; impact of good deeds last for ever

(vi) 2
 While playing computer game, Sebastian met with an accident and head banged
against the computer and stored his memory/ trapped his consciousness in the
computer disk, leaving him in a coma.
 Michael purchased/ played those computer games / helped Sebastian to regain
consciousness/ to recover

12. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 150 words. (8)

Content - 4 marks
Organisation - 3 marks (coherence and cohesion, 2-3 structured paragraphs)
Accuracy - 1 mark (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

Answer can be woven along the following points
(a)

 In Julius Caesar ambition is seen as dangerous / intimidating
 Though he refuses crown thrice but has a hidden/ latent desire for power
 His ambition and pride makes him dismiss Soothsayer’s warning/ Calpurnia’s fears.
 Proceeds to senate house when Decius Brutus tells him that senators may change their
mind of crowning him.
 Caesar embarks upon a policy of conquests and brings back captives to Rome / fills the
Roman treasury with the loot and ransom collected
 Compares himself to the ‘Northern Star’/ believes himself to be superior

Note:
Students may also describe the personal ambition of Antony or other conspirators and
present a contrast with Patol Babu’s ambition

 Patol Babu’s artistic desire motivates him to rehearse with all his heart though he has to
say a single word (“Oh!”)
 Though away from the stage for years, longs to be an actor again.
 Performs with total dedication, feels satisfied, and does not even collect his payment.

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Analysis of both the characters
 While Caesar’s ambition makes him arrogant, and eventually leads to his assassination,
Patol Babu’s ambition brings out the best in him, gives him a sense of satisfaction and
dignity.
 Patol’s ambition is not for wealth or popularity whereas Caesar’s longs to have power,
authority and public dominance.
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 While Caesar’s ambition is outward and power-oriented, Patol’s is inward and self-
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fulfilling.
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 Both texts reveal that ambition can either corrupt or inspire, depending on whether it is
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guided by self- interest or sincerity
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a well-reasoned point may be accepted.
Any other

Or
(b)

The Letter
• Ali waits patiently for five years to receive a letter from his only daughter, Miriam
• Visits the post office daily at 4 o’ clock in the morning even in harsh weather
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• endures loneliness of old age / routine humiliation / the post master’s ridicule in the
hope of receiving a letter
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•
suffers loss and separation
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His patience becomes a symbol of love and faith, even beyond death.
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He leaves a positive impact on the postmaster who eventually empathises with his
situation when he anxiously waits for news about his own daughter

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

• Endurance and patience is seen in the Mariner’s prolonged suffering
• Suffering with thirst, isolation and guilt as punishment for his reckless act.
• Patiently and hopefully/ optimistically waits for the weather to change and the wind to
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blow
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• Ali understands the importance of love and separation and thus, gives up hunting.
• The Mariner realizes the value of life and moral responsibility when he kills the albatross.
• Both texts show that patience and endurance are essential for transformation.

Note:
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Any other well-reasoned point may be accepted.

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