HBSE Class 10 Sample Paper 2026 Answers English

STEPWISE MARKING SCHEME (2025-26)
SUBJECT: ENGLISH (CORE)
CLASS: X

SECTION – A

(Reading Skills)

• In question no 1 and 2, each part carries 10 sub - parts. All sub-parts are compulsory
to answer. There is no internal choice.
• No marks should be awarded for partial answers in MCQs. All MCQs have a single
correct answer.
• The answers to objective (answer in one or two sentences type) questions are for
reference only. If a candidate has written any other logical explanation which
correlates with the passage, then full marks should be awarded to the student.
• For one grammatical or spelling mistake, no marks should be deducted, If more than
one grammatical or spelling mistakes are seen, then 0.5 points should be deducted

Ans1.

a) (iii) November

(b) (iv) shopping frenzy
(c) (iv) Philadelphia

(d) (ii) debt and and profit

(e) (ii) a retailer

(f) Big Friday

(g) Buy Nothing Day

(h) Colombia celebrates two Black Fridays, one in November and the other in May.

(i) touchstone
(j) frenzy

Ans2.
(a) The National Professional Standards for Teachers
(b) A teacher

(C) A teacher should be enthusiastic, driven, highly qualified, well prepared and equipped to
teach all learners at all levels of schooling.

(d) The professional standards will be reviewed and revised in 2030.It will take place after
every ten years.

(e) equitable

(f) (iv) All students should have equitable access to the best possible education.

(g) (i) drawing the best talent to the teaching profession

(h) (iv) all of these

(i) (iv) the National Council for Teacher Education. Act 1993
(j) (ii) mandate

SECTION-B

(Grammar)

• This section contains only one question. The question contains twelve questions out of
which the student is required to answer only ten questions. There is no boundation on
choosing sub-section.
• No partial credit is allowed.
Ans 3.

(A)
(i) b. has just struck.
(ii) c. smell

(B)

(ⅲ) a. the

(iv) b. the

(C)

(v) c. I tell Sheela that she is my best friend.

(vi) b. My father ordered Reena to go and wash her hands.

(D)

(vii) d. would

(viii) b. must

(E)
(ix) c. to drive

(x) a. Teaching

(F)

(xi) b. Do you know why he is coming here?

(xii) b. He is Pradeep whose son won the first position in the poetry recitation.

SECTION – C
(Writing Skill)

• The specific instructions for grading are given along with the model answer. In
creative writing skills, any logically correct, coherent, grammatical and spelling error
free and format abiding answer should be awarded full marks.

Ans4. Letter Writing 5marks
Division of marks is as follows:
• Format: 1 mark
• Content: 2 marks
• Accuracy: 1 mark
• Expression: 1 mark
Rubrics for each of the above criterion is given below:

Format:
Sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, complimentary close

Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter All aspects included. One aspect is missing. More than two aspects are
missing.

Content:
Points: Format, Tense, Formal Tone, Vocabulary, Coherence etc.

Marks 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question not
included. points included. included. Fair points not attempted.
Well developed Reasonably well attempt at included.
with sustained developed. developing Limited
clarity. ideas. awareness about
the task given.

Accuracy:
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

Expression:
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter Tense, tone and vocabulary There is a little deviation in Irrelevant answer
are appropriate. Coherence tense, tone and vocabulary. OR
and relevance of ideas. Almost relevant. Question not attempted.

Model Answer :

(i)

421, Old Housing Board

Bhiwani

July 22, 20XX

The Deputy Commissioner

Bhiwani

Subject: Urgent intervention needed regarding the nuisance caused by Rhesus monkeys in the
Old Housing Board

Respected Sir

I am writing to you to bring to your urgent attention the severe and escalating nuisance
caused by the rampant population of rhesus monkeys in our area.

Over the past several months, these monkeys have become a constant source of distress and
have significantly disrupted our daily lives. The monkeys frequently destroy gardens, potted
plants, and even break windows or damage rooftops in their search for food. They often enter
homes, especially if windows or doors are left even slightly ajar, and steal food, creating
unhygienic conditions and financial loss. Residents, particularly children and the elderly, are
living in fear due to the increasingly aggressive behavior of these monkeys. There have been
instances of them chasing and even attempting to bite individuals.

Despite our best efforts to deter them, the problem has only worsened. We earnestly request
your immediate intervention to address this critical issue. We would be grateful if you could
direct the concerned department to take appropriate measures, such as safely capturing and
relocating these monkeys, or implementing other effective strategies to control their
population and mitigate the nuisance.

We are hopeful for a swift and positive response from your office. Thank you for your time
and consideration of this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely

Rajesh

(ii) Application
Format : 1 mark
Receiver’s address, Subject and Salutation, Body of application & Complimentary Close

Award full marks if all aspects are included.
Award 0.5 mark if more than one aspect is missing.
Award zero mark if more than two aspects are missing.

Content : 2 marks
Accuracy & Expression : 2 marks
Award full marks if
• Tense, tone and vocabulary are appropriate
• Coherent and relevant ideas
• One or two grammatical/ spelling mistake

Model Answer :

The Principal
ABC School

Jind

Subject: Request to organize an awareness camp on the Right to Education

Respected Sir
I am writing to respectfully request that our school should organize an awareness camp on the
Right to Education (RTE) for all students. The awareness camp would be incredibly
beneficial for all students. It would foster empathy and a sense of responsibility towards those
who are deprived of educational opportunities.

Understanding such crucial social legislation prepares us to be more informed and
responsible citizens in the future. We believe that an interactive session, perhaps with guest
speakers from NGOs working in the education sector or even a short documentary, would be
very impactful. Such a camp would not only educate us but also inspire us to appreciate the
value of education and potentially encourage us to advocate for it.

Thank you for considering this request.

Yours obediently

Kavita

Class: X

Roll No: 24

July 22, 2025

Ans5.

(i) Advertisement 5
Marks
Division of marks is as follows:

• Format: 1 mark

• Content: 3 marks

• Accuracy: 1 mark

Rubrics for each of the above criterion is given below:

Format:

Box, Heading, content, contact no., address/ email

Marks 1 0.5 0

Parameter All aspects included. One aspect is missing. More than two aspects are
missing.

Content:

Marks 3 2 1 0.5 0

Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question not
included. points included. included. Fair points not attempted.
Reasonably well attempt at included.
Well developed
developed. developing Limited
with sustained
ideas. awareness about
clarity.
the task given

Accuracy:

Marks 1 0.5 0

Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

Found! Found! Found!

Found a purse in the Super Market on July 5, 2025. The owner can claim it by contacting
Satish Arya at XXXXXXXXXX. Be prepared to describe the purse and its contents to verify
ownership. If not claimed within 10 days (by July 15, 2025), the purse will be handed over to
the local police station.

(ii) Story

Format:

Beginning, Development of thought, Ending, Moral
Marks 1 0.5 0

Parameter All aspects included. One aspect is missing. More than two aspects are
missing.

Content:

Marks 3 2 1 0.5 0

Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question not
included. points included. included. Fair points not attempted.
Reasonably well attempt at included.
Well developed
developed. developing Limited
with sustained
ideas. awareness about
clarity.
the task given

Accuracy:

Marks 1 0.5 0

Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

Once upon a time, a woodcutter named Ramu lived in a village. Every day, he would venture
into the nearby forest to cut wood which he would then sell in the market. One afternoon, as
he was cutting a particularly thick tree near the riverbank, his axe slipped from his grasp and
plunged into the deep water. Distraught, Ramu sat by the bank, lamenting his loss.

Suddenly, the River Goddess appeared and said, "Why do you weep, my son?" He said, "My
axe, my only tool, has fallen into the river. The goddess dipped her hand into the water and
pulled out a magnificent golden axe, sparkling brighter than the sun. "Is this yours?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No, revered Goddess, that is not mine."
The goddess then dipped her hand into the water again and retrieved a gleaming silver axe.
Again, Ramu humbly refused. A third time, the goddess reached into the depths. This time, she
pulled out a worn, old iron axe. His face lit up with relief and joy. "Yes! That's my axe, Goddess!
Thank you, thank you!" The goddess, deeply impressed, gave him all the axes.
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.

SECTION – D

(Literature)

Ans6. No partial marks are allowed. Any one part is to be attempted from the two given
sub-parts.
1X5=5
(i) Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom

(ii) The twin obligations of a man are the obligations one has towards his family and the other
towards his country, community and people.

(iii) A civil and humane society is required to fullfill both obligations.

(iv) because of policy of apartheid

(v) inclinations

OR
(a) Lokesh Abrol

(b) The Coorgi people are always ready to tell the tales of bravery.

(c) Kodavus are the only people in India who are allowed to carry firearms without a licence.

(d) General Cariappa

(e) The word 'valour' means 'courage and bravery'.

Ans 7. Partial marks are allowed for the following questions. A student has to
attempt any 2 from the given questions. Rubrics for grading are given below: 3 X 2 = 6

Content: 2 mark
Marks 2 1 0
Parameter Two or three points written Partial answer written. Question not attempted.
with sustained clarity.
Accuracy and Expression: 1 mark
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

(a) Suggested Value Points:

• Only 70 Pesos in the envelope

• Deep faith in God
• Post-Office employees cheated him

Lencho had asked God to send him a hundred pesos. But when he counted the money, it was
thirty pesos short. He had deep faith in God. He realised that the post office employees had
taken the money. This thing made him very angry.

(b) Suggested Value Points:

• Supports her habit of talking
• A student's trait
• Inherited traits cannot be curbed

Anne Frank supports her habit of talking in the first essay.She writes that talking is a student's
trait and she will try to control it. But, she also says that she has got it from her mother and
such inherited traits cannot be curbed.

(c) Suggested Value Points:

• Mij happy in water
• Plunged and rolled in
• Escaped from the bedroom
When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, he went wild with joy in the water. He plunged
and rolled in it. Two days later, he escaped from the bedroom and went into the bathroom
himself.

(d) Suggested Value Points:

• Very sad over the death of her only son
• Went from door to door to find medicine
• Request to Buddha

Kisa Gotami was very sad over the death of her only son.In her hour of grief, she went from
door to door to find medicine to make her dead son alive. She went to the Buddha with a
request to bring her son back to life.

Ans 8. Partial marks are allowed in this question. Out of the two sub-parts of the question,
students are required to attempt one only. Rubrics for grading are given below:
6

Content : 4 marks
Marks 4 3 2 1 0
Parameter All points Almost all points Some points Most of the Question
included. Well included. included. Fair points not not
developed with Reasonably attempt at
sustained well included. attempte-
developing
clarity. developed. ideas Limited d.
awareness about
the task given

Accuracy: 1 mark

Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

Expression: 1 mark
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter Tense, tone and There is a little deviation Irrelevant answer
vocabulary are in tense, tone and OR
appropriate. Coherence vocabulary. Almost Question not attempted.
and relevance of ideas. relevant.

Suggested Value Points:

• Age no more a barrier
• Children doing wonders
• Valli a confident girl
• Executed her plan
• Controlled her desires and temptations
• Good observer and learner
• No age to learn new things

In today's era, age is no more a barrier. Children are doing wonders at a very young age.
Same goes with Valli. At the age of 8 years, Valli was able to pursue her dream all alone by
travelling in the bus to town. She was no different from others, except that she had certain
characteristics that made her fulfil her dream.
Valli was a very confident and bold girl. She had properly planned and executed her plan. She
had controlled her wishes to save money for the bus ride. She curbed the temptation to buy
sweets and go riding on the merry- go-round in the fair. She did not succumb to the
temptation of going out to explore the town or having a drink. Sacrificing all these things at
such a tender age shows her self-control. Also, she was a very good observer and learner. All
these qualities made her realise the dream of riding a bus. Hence, one should always
remember that there is no age to learn and experience new things.

OR

Suggested Value Points:

• Disagree with the given statement
• The climax does not show deep love
• Natalya thinks Lomov is dead
• Chubukov does not want to take any chance
• Thrusts his hand into his daughter's hand
• They again start quarreling
• All characters are fickle- minded
No, I don't agree with the given statement. The climax of Anton Chekhov's play "The
Proposal" does not show deep love between Lomov and Natalya. In fact, it highlights their
argumentative, materialistic, and far from loving relationship. The play is a satire on the
absurdities of marriage for property and social status rather than for affection.

Seeing Lomov faint, Natalya thinks that he is dead. She starts weeping and requests her father
to call in the doctor. When Lomov comes to senses, Chubukov does not want to take any
more chance. He at once speaks out that his daughter is willing to marry. He thrusts Lomov's
hand into Natalya's hand and gives them his blessings. But they again start quarreling over
their dogs. Thus the climax shows that all the three characters are quarrelsome, fickle-minded
and selfish. They give importance to material wealth over emotions and sentiments.

Ans9. No partial marks are allowed. Any one part is to be attempted from the two given
sub-parts. 1X5=5

(a) The leaping and pouncing of the Leopard on the prey again and again will help in
identifying the Leopard.

(b) Crying with pain will be of no use for the victim as the Leopard would just keep on
pouncing.

(c) peppered : leopard

(d) Name of the Poem : How to Tell the Wild Animals

Name of the Poet : Carolyn Wells

(e) hide

OR

(a) Anne Gregory

(b) Anne is responding to the poet's statements.

(c) Anne claims to apply any dye, be it black, brown or carrot shade.

(d) because she wants her lover to love only her inner beauty and not her physical
appearance.

(e) For Anne Gregory

Ans 10. The answer to these questions should be about 30-40 words long. Partial
Credit is allowed. Rubrics for grading are given below: 3×2=6

• Content: 2 marks
Marks 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question not
included. points included.
included. Fair points not attempted.
Well developed Reasonably well
with sustained developed. attempt at included.
clarity. developing
ideas.
• Accuracy: 1 mark
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

(a) Suggested Value Points:

• Desire and hatred
• The prominent destructive traits
• Experienced both the emotions
• Only positive qualities can save the world

The poem 'Fire and Ice' questions about the fate of the world in which desire and hatred are
the prominent traits. The poet has experienced both the emotions, fire which refers to strong
desires and ice which expresses hatred. The poet wants to say that the world would come to
an end by both fire and ice. Only love, peace and brotherhood can save the world.
(b) Suggested Value Points:

• Regrets over the loss of his ball
• Not experienced any irreversible loss
• Life undergoing different phases

The boy shakes in grief because he has lost his ball. To him the ball holds an important place
in his life. He regrets over the loss of the ball. He has not experienced any irreversible loss till
now. But now his life has started undergoing different phases. He could see all his good days
passing by.
(c) Suggested Value Points:

• Comparison of the branches to patients discharged from a hospital
• In the greenhouse for a long time
• Impatient to move out

The poet compares the branches to patients who have just been discharged from a hospital,
after a long stay there. The branches are 'long-cramped' because they have been in the green
house for a long time. They are impatient to move out into the open air now.

(d) Suggested Value Points:

• They cried for help
• Custard snorted like an engine
• Gobbled the pirate
On seeing the pirate, Mustard, Ink, Blink and Belinda cried for help.They lacked courage. It
was Custard, the dragon, who snorted like an engine in anger. With his dangerous and angry
looks he followed the pirate like a robin. He gobbled the pirate and showed his bravery.

Ans 11. The answer to these questions should be about 30-40 words long. Partial
Credit is allowed. Rubrics for grading are given below: 3×2
=6

• Content: 2 marks
Marks 2 1.5 1 0.5 0

Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question not
included. points included.
included. Fair points not attempted.
Well developed Reasonably well
with sustained developed. attempt at included.
clarity. developing
ideas.
• Accuracy: 1 mark
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.

(a) Suggested Value Points:

• Tricki admitted to hospital
• Given no food but only water
• Treated him without any surgery
Mr Herriot took Tricki to the hospital. He made a warm bed in a loose box, kept next to the
other dogs. For the first two days, he observed Tricki by giving him plenty of water and no
food.Gradually, Tricki started running with other dogs and recovered fast. Thus Mr Herriot
saved Tricki without any surgery.

(b) Suggested Value Points:

• Bought another same necklace
• Get loan to pay the debt
• Whole life changed

Loisels replaced the necklace by buying another same necklace and giving it to Mme
Forestier. But they had to get loan to pay for the price of the necklace which was forty

thousand francs. Now, they had to work hard to repay the debt. The whole course of their life
changed due to a necklace.

(c) Suggested Value Points:

• Mentally slow girl
• Bishambhar a wealthy man
• Unanware about their daughter's lack of sense
Bholi is a mentally slow, stammering, pock- marked and simpleton girl. Her parents accept
Bishambhar's marriage proposal because he is wealthy. He lives in another village and thus,
does not know about Bholi's pock- marks and lack of sense.

(d) Suggested Value Points:

• Arrogant ruler of Mars
• Wanted to attack the earth
• Got frightened by the book

Think- Tank was an arrogant ruler of the planet Mars. He wanted to attack the earth and rule
over it. Noodle addressed him as, 'O Great and Mighty Think - Tank'. But he got frightened
by an old nursery rhyme book he ordered his crew to return.

Ans 12. Partial marks are allowed in this question. Out of the two sub-parts of the question,
students are required to attempt one only. Rubrics for grading are given below:
6

Content : 4 marks
Marks 4 3 2 1 0
Parameter All points Almost all Some points Most of the Question
included. Well points included. included. Fair points not
not
developed with Reasonably attempt at included.
sustained well attempte-
developing Limited
clarity. developed. ideas. awareness d.
about the task
given.

Accuracy: 1 mark

Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter One or two grammatical/ More than two Question not attempted.
spelling mistake(s). grammatical/spelling
mistakes.
Expression: 1 mark
Marks 1 0.5 0
Parameter Tense, tone and There is a little deviation Irrelevant answer
vocabulary are in tense, tone and OR
appropriate. Coherence vocabulary. Almost Question not attempted.
and relevance of ideas. relevant.

(a) Suggested Value Points

• Both are clever thieves
• The lady is more professional than Horace
• Her bold body language
• Behaved like the owner of the house
• Wanted jewels to wear at the party
• Horace opened the safe without gloves
• Got arrested and the lady escaped with the booty

Both, the young lady and Horace in the story, are clever thieves, But the young lady is very
shrewd and outwits Horace. She is a clever and professional thief and is aware of her
strengths. She is able to befool Horace, who believed her to be the mistress of the house.

While Horace was trying to open the safe, the young lady heard the sound of his sneeze and
walked towards the safe. Her body language was such that Horace mistook her to be the
owner of the house. She ordered Horace to open the safe and give the jewels to her, which
she had to wear for a party that night. Horace believed her and gave her the jewels, from the
safe. The lady then escaped with the booty and Horace was arrested for the theft as his
fingerprints were all over the safe.

OR

Suggested Value Points

• Discovery for the well-being of mankind
• Griffin misused his amazing discovery
• Became invisible and robbed people

• Entered shops and stole the money
• Set his landlord's house on fire
• Lacked sensitivity and never thought of the welfare of human-beings
• His scientific discovery proves destructive

A true scientist always thinks of such discoveries that can bring about an advancement in
technology and make work easier for men. Here in the story, Griffin discovered a drug which
could make human body invisible. It was an amazing discovery which, if used properly,
would have worked wonders for mankind. But Griffin misused it.
He used it to become invisible and rob people of their cash. He entered shops, looted them
and stole the money for his own interest. He set his landlord's house on fire and escaped. He
lacked sensitivity and social behaviour. He was not a man of good character. He never
thought of the welfare of human beings.

Thus, In the case of Griffin, scientific discovery proves destructive because of his negative
approach.