PSEB 10th Sample Paper 2026 English

Punjab Board

Sample Academic Year
2026

Paper

1

Model Test Paper (2025-26)
Class X
ENGLISH
Time allowed : 3 hours ​​ ​ ​ ​ Maximum Marks: 80

Note: All the questions are compulsory.

Section A – (Reading Skills) ​ ​ ​ ​ 8 marks

1. (a) Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. ​ ​ ​ ​ 4x1= 4

Brain drain refers to the migration of highly skilled and educated individuals from one country to another in
search of better opportunities, higher wages and improved quality of life. This phenomenon has become a matter
of concern for many countries, particularly those that experience a significant outflow of talent. One of the
primary reasons for brain drain is the pursuit of advanced education and professional growth. Many individuals
opt to study abroad and upon completing their degrees, they often choose to remain in their host countries,
attracted by the prospects of better jobs and research opportunities. This leads to a loss of human capital for
their home countries, which invested resources in their education. The impact of brain drain can be felt on
various levels. Economically, it may result in a shortage of skilled workers, hindering a nation's development and
growth potential. Additionally, the loss of skilled professionals can slow down research and technological
advancements in the home country. Moreover, brain drain can have social implications, as families are separated
and the nation may lose valuable contributors to its culture and society. To address brain drain, some countries
are bringing back their talented citizens from abroad. These policies may include offering attractive job
opportunities, funding research projects and creating a conducive environment for professional development.
i. What does the term 'brain drain' refer to?
a.​ Migration of unskilled workers
b.​ Migration of highly skilled and educated individuals
c.​ Migration of students
d.​ Migration of retirees
ii. Why do many individuals choose to study abroad?
a.​ To escape their home countries
b.​ To find low-paying jobs
c.​ To pursue advanced education and professional growth
d.​ To retire in a different country
iii. What is one of the economic impacts of brain drain?
a.​ Increased foreign investment
b.​ Shortage of skilled workers
c.​ Improved infrastructure
d.​ Reduced unemployment
iv. How can countries address brain drain?
a.​ By restricting education abroad
b.​ By offering attractive job opportunities and funding research projects
c.​ By increasing taxes on foreign-educated individuals
d.​ By reducing investment in education

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(b) Study the given poster carefully and answer the questions that follow.​ ​ ​ ​ 4x1=4

i. Which event focuses on storytelling?
a.​ Poetry Slam Showdown
b.​ Debate Duel
c.​ Short Story Odyssey
d.​ Oratory Showcase
ii. Which event emphasizes persuasive speaking?
a.​ Poetry Slam Showdown
b.​ Debate Duel
c.​ Short Story Odyssey
d.​ Oratory Showcase
iii. What is the time slot for the Short Story Odyssey?
a.​ 10 am to 11:30 am
b.​ 11:45 am to 1:15 pm
c.​ 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
d.​ 2:00 am to 3:30 am
iv. Where will the Poetry Slam take place?
a.​ Library
b.​ Listening Lab
c.​ Room A

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d.​ Auditorium​
​ ​ Section B – (Objective Type Questions) ​ ​ ​ 6 marks
2. Answer the following questions. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 6x1=6

i. Who was sent to bring the two most precious things from the city? ​ ​ ​ (The Happy Prince)

a.​ Mayor b. God c. angel d. match-girl

ii. Name two non-material things mentioned in the lesson. ​​ ​ (Where is Science Taking Us?)

iii. Sir Pertab Singh's friend was _____ soldier. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh)

iv. Who did the author meet in the hospital ward? ​ ​ ​ (Bed Number 29)

a.​ Naeem b. Bobby Gillian c. Subbiah d. Della

v. Robert Gillian received one million dollars from his uncle's will. (True/False)​ ​ (One Thousand Dollars)

vi. What was Watson by profession?​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (The Dying Detective)

​ ​ ​ Section C – (English Textbooks) ​ ​ ​ 29 marks

English Main Course Book: Prose

3. (a) Answer any three questions in about 15-20 words each. ​​ ​ ​ ​ 3x3=9

i. What was the priceless secret discovered by Mr Kagawa?​​ ​ ​ ​ (Secret of Happiness)

ii. What did Della think when she looked at herself in the mirror?​ ​ ​ (A Gift for Christmas)

iii. What was the immediate reason for Phatik's departure from his uncle's house?​ (The Home-Coming)

iv. Define solar system.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (The Making of the Earth)

v. 'We should be a judicious mixture of both.' What does the writer of 'The Rule of the Road' mean by his
statement? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (The Rule of the Road)

(b) Answer any one question in about 50 words. ​​ ​ ​ ​ 1x4=4

"I cannot choose but weep." Why did the Happy Prince say so? ​ ​ ​ (The Happy Prince)
Or
What is the basic difference between the position of women in society in the ancient times and now?

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Some Glimpses of Ancient Indian Thought and Practices)

English Main Course Book: Poetry

4. (a) Answer any two questions after reading the following stanza. ​ ​ ​ 2x2= 4

​ On neck and antler – both were crushed

​ Now Sheru's gone. Not any more

Do people fear his dreaded spoor,

Pug-marked on the forest floor.

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i. Name the poem and its poet.

ii. Why are people no longer afraid of the tiger-scent?

iii. Why did Sheru go from the forest?

(b) Answer any one question. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 1x3=3

What is the theme of the poem 'Death the Leveller’?

Or

Why is the world broken by narrow domestic walls? What can we do about it? (Where the Mind is without Fear)

English Supplementary Reader

5. Answer any three of the following questions in about 15-20 words. ​ ​ ​ ​ 3x3=9

i. How did the author feel when he learnt that Naeem had left the hospital because he had no money for the
treatment? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Bed Number- 29)

ii. Did the man wait for Subbiah for long? How do you know? ​ ​ ​ ​ (Half a Rupee Worth)

iii. What did Gillain ask the driver of the cab? Did he like his answer? How do you know? (One Thousand Dollars)

iv. A trader told Pakhom something about the land of Bashkirs. What was it?(How Much Land Does a Man Need?)

v. What is duck-diving? How is it taught? ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ (Return to Air)

​​ ​ ​ Section D – (Vocabulary) ​ ​ ​ 4
marks

6. Do as directed. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4x1= 4

i. Choose the correct word from the bracket to fill in the blank.

Military tents are generally made of _______. (canvas, canvass)

ii. Use the following idiom in a sentence.

To call a spade a spade

iii. Give one word for the following.

One who believes everybody

iv. Correct the following sentence.

Law and order are to be maintained.

​ ​ Section E – (Translation, Grammar and Composition) ​ ​ 33 marks

7. (a) Translate any three sentences from English to Punjabi/Hindi. ​​ ​ ​ ​ 3x1=3

i. Fear is one of man's most common enemies.

ii. Dadhichi took no time in laying down his life.

iii. The stranger asked him again.

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iv. We think the earth is very big.

v. I may be as free as I like.

(b) Translate any three sentences from Punjabi/Hindi to English. ​​ ​ ​ ​ 3x1=3

i. ਕਾਸ਼! ਮੈਂ ਅਮੀਰ ਹੁੰ ਦਾ। / काश! मैं अमीर होता।

ii. ਕੀ ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਸਕੂਲ ਪਹੁੰ ਚ ਚੁੱ ਕਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ? / क्या वह मझ
ु से पहले स्कूल पहुँच गया होगा?

iii. ਬਕਵਾਸ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ। / बकवास मत करो

iv. ਹਾਥੀ ਦੇ ਦੰ ਦ ਖਾਣ ਦੇ ਹੋਰ ਅਤੇ ਦਿਖਾਉਣ ਦੇ ਹੋਰ। / हाथी के दांत खाने के और दिखाने के और।

v. ਇੱ ਧਰ ਉੱਧਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱ ਲਾਂ ਨਾ ਕਰੋ, ਕੰ ਮ ਦੀ ਗੱ ਲ ਕਰੋ। / इधर-उधर की बात मत हांको, काम की बात करो।

8. Do as directed. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10x1=10

i. Fill in the blank with a suitable determiner.

May God give her wisdom and strength to fight _____ odds of life.

ii. Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

Paul wanted to bring luck _____ his family.

iii. Fill in the blank with the correct modal.

The children asked if they _____ have ice cream. (can/could)

iv. Fill in the blank with a suitable conjunction.

_____ we had limited means, we were honest.

v. Combine the following sets of sentences using a non-finite verb (Infinitive, Gerund or Participle).

She left home early. She arrived here on time.

vi. Transform the following sentence using 'what'.

You say something. I agree to it.

vii. Change the following sentence into passive voice.

Why did you laugh at the poor man?

viii. Change the following sentence into the direct form of Narration.

The boy requested the teacher to forgive him.

ix. Correct the following sentence.

I lived in Chandigarh since 1978.

x. Punctuate the following sentence.

his story was in several ways improbable

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9. (a) Given below is a telephonic conversation between Nandan and Nikita.
Nandan ​ :​ May I talk to Arun?
Nikita ​ : ​ I’m sorry, he is not at home.
Nandan ​ : ​ Why didn't he come to school today?
Nikita ​ : ​ He has gone to visit a relative.
Nandan ​ : ​ Will you please convey my message to him? ​
Nikita ​ : ​ What is it?
Nandan​ : ​ Tell him to bring my English notebook as I need it for correction tomorrow.
Nikita​ ​ :​ Anything else?
Nandan​ :​ Yes, tell him that our Science test has been postponed. Our teacher will announce
the new date tomorrow.
Nikita​ ​ :​ I will tell him.
Nandan ​ :​ Thank you.
Nikita has to go to the market. Write the message on her behalf. 3
Or
You are Nimisha, Editor, School Magazine, Radha Vatika School, Khanna. Draft a notice inviting entries for the
magazine from students. The last date is 10th of October. 3
(b) Draft an advertisement for TIP-TOP beauty parlour. 3
Or
Read the passage given below and make notes: 3
THE BUDDHA
Siddhartha Gautama was born into the house of a wealthy king or feudal baron of the Sakya clan in what is now
Nepal. Siddartha's father sheltered him from the harsh realities of the world by surrounding him with only
pleasant things. Siddhartha did not know of human suffering, sickness, advanced age or death until he chanced
upon a man suffering from old age. He soon learned of human disease and of death. These things stayed in his
mind and he began to think of them as being inescapable. He gave up his normal life of distractions and went on
a personal search for the life where age and death would not matter. Siddhartha Gautama searched the greatest
Hindu masters for wisdom in his search for enlightenment. He learned from them all he could but did not find the
answer he was searching for. His next step was to join a group of ascetics, to open his mind by sacrificing his body,
but that did not work either. He suffered more than his ascetic brothers and almost died as the result of it. This
caused him to try another route to his goal of enlightenment, by way of strict thought and concentration. He sat
down under a peepul tree (later known as the Bo tree) and with intense concentration and will-power he was
able to reach total enlightenment and become the Buddha. The teachings of the Buddha reached thousands in
his native India. Siddhartha Gautama was born as a ruler and became the Buddha which made him a priest, he
also lived impoverished and begged for food. As an acquaintance of all three castes and able to be comfortable
among them all, he was able to give his message to a wide variety of people.

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(c) Write a paragraph on any one topic using the following hints. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 4
Inauguration of the Computer Wing of Our School: New computer wing ....... inaugurated by Principal
Polytechnic College ……… generous grants from N.G.O.………. organized a talk on role of computers .............
computers have revolutionized life ........... knowledge of the world thrown at man's feet …… impressed students
to take the maximum advantage of computer wing…….. tea served ........... gave demonstration to handle the
computer ........... students happy and proud
Or
An Ideal Citizen : An asset to the nation ………..law abiding citizen is real patriot……… good civic sense…….
Loyal to family, society and country ………. makes proper use of his vote…….. pays tax ……. believes in world
peace………. He works for the welfare and upliftment of his country …… fights social evils…........must for the
prosperity of a country

(d) You are Monica. You live at 504/3 Model Town, Moga. Write a letter to your friend Rina about your experience
of a new school that you just joined.​​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 7

Or
You are Raghu staying at 12 Balmik Colony, Gurdaspur. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper to create
awareness among the masses about pollution hazards. ​ 7

​ ​ ​

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Notes

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Important Resources
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