Solved Question Paper of CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2026 Board Exam
CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Question Paper 2026 – Solving previous years’ question papers is one of the best ways to prepare for the CBSE Board Exams. It helps you understand the exam pattern, practise different types of questions, and feel more confident on exam day. Here, we’ve provided the complete solutions to the CBSE Class 10 English (Communicative) 2026 Board Exam question paper, covering all sections: Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Literature. These solutions will help you understand how the paper is structured, what kinds of questions are asked, and how to frame your answers effectively to score well in the exam.
SECTION A – (Reading Skills) (22 marks)
Q1. Read the following passage carefully: (12)
(1) Playing sports is a fun and effective way to boost your health and fitness. Instead of the grind of treadmills or weight machines, sports offer excitement and motivation, especially when invited by friends or teammates. Engaging in sports enhances heart health, lowers the risk of diabetes, improves blood sugar control and reduces tension and stress. Physical activity also builds muscle mass, refines coordination, and strengthens muscle memory.
(2) Life brings emotional ups and downs, and it can be tempting to cope through binge-watching or overeating. However, regular sports participation triggers positive changes in the brain. It increases serotonin and improves cardiovascular health — key for reducing anxiety and depression while the release of endorphins improves mood and provides natural pain relief. Any sport you enjoy can help you combat stress and boost overall happiness.
(3) Modern lifestyles entail long hours at desks, fatigue and convenience food which often lead to weight gain, hypertension and heart disease. Playing sports is an efficient and enjoyable way to burn calories, reduce body fat and manage weight. Combined with a healthy diet, it can outperform traditional gym workouts, which can feel exhausting or monotonous.
(4) Sports elevate heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain, stimulating growth-promoting hormones for brain cells. Physical exertion depletes energy and elevates body temperature, which improves sleep quality by making the body work harder to cool down at night. Studies show that exercising at least 150 minutes per week can enhance sleep quality by up to 65 percent.
(5) Sports activities like basketball, soccer, football, tennis and baseball engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Unlike routine gym sessions, they help to build lean muscle while burning fat. These sports are driven by fun and competition and don’t feel like a chore in isolated gym training. They challenge the balance, reduce fall risk and test the limits of endurance, whether in victory or defeat.
(6) Sport isn’t just physical — it is also emotional. It offers opportunities to face challenges, learn from failure, and celebrate victory. These experiences foster self-confidence, adaptability, and resilience, making you feel more capable and positive about life.
(7) Beyond the personal gains, playing sports fosters social bonds and community living. Joining a team or club brings you into a supportive network of teammates, coaches and friends. Shared goals, team camaraderie and cheering each other help strengthen relationships and build a sense of belonging. This social engagement not only enhances enjoyment but also encourages you to stay committed, making regular physical activity a sustainable part of your life.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :
(i) Which one of the following is a health benefit of participating in sports, as stated in paragraph 1? 1
(A) promotes more screen time
(B) reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes
(C) improves hearing abilities
(D) worsens sleeping patterns.
(ii) What underlying mechanism makes sports more effective than binge-watching or overeating for coping with emotional stress? Paragraph (2) 1
(A) activation of social bonding neuropeptides
(B) enhanced serotonin and natural chemical release in the brain
(C) increased caloric expenditure leading to mental clarity
(D) diversion of attention through physical exhaution
(iii) Complete the following suitably: 1
Modern lifestyles lead to weight gain because ___________ .
(iv) Rectify the given false statement. 1
Playing a sport and consuming a lot of convenience food balances weight gain and reduces body fat.
(v) How does physical exertion affect body temperature and sleep quality? Paragraph (4) 1
(vi) In what way are gym sessions different from sports activities? Paragraph (5) 1
(vii) Mention one way in which playing a sport helps in emotional development. Paragraph (6) 2
(viii) List one way in which playing a sport reduces the risk of falling. 2
(ix) How does belonging to a team or community act as a positive feedback loop for continued engagement in physical activity? 2
Answer –
(i) B: reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes
(ii) B: enhanced serotonin and natural chemical release in the brain
(iii) of long hours at desks, fatigue and convenience food.
(iv) Playing a sport combined with a healthy diet balances weight gain and reduces body fat, whereas consuming a lot of convenience food leads to weight gain.
(v) Physical exertion depletes energy and raises body temperature, so the body works harder to cool down at night. This improves sleep quality.
(vi) Gym sessions are routine, isolated and can feel exhausting or monotonous. Sports engage many muscle groups at once, build lean muscle while burning fat, and are driven by fun and competition.
(vii) Sport builds self-confidence, adaptability and resilience. It teaches players to face challenges and learn from failure.
(viii) Sports challenge balance, which makes the body steadier and reduces the risk of falls.
(ix) A team gives you a supportive network, shared goals and cheering from teammates. This builds a sense of belonging, so you enjoy the activity and stay committed. That commitment keeps you playing regularly.
Q2. Read the following passage carefully: (10)
(1) Eco-tourism is a mindful and responsible way of travelling that emphasizes conserving natural environments, appreciating local cultures, and benefitting communities rather than exploiting them. It goes beyond simply visiting nature — it strives to protect fragile ecosystems, educate visitors, and uplift local people, both socially and economically.
(2) A vital part of eco-tourism is environmental conservation. Places like Costa Rica have used eco-tourism as a tool to preserve vast protected areas — over 21% of the nation’s lands are now national parks and reserves, all thanks to eco-tourism-driven support. These efforts not only shield wildlife, but also inspire visitors with education about biodiversity and conservation.
(3) Eco-tourism also brings substantial economic and socio-cultural benefits to local communities. It not only offers visitors a chance to explore nature but also empowers local people to protect their own heritage. Tourists often spend on lodges, guides, food, and souvenirs, yielding jobs and income for locals in rural and otherwise underdeveloped areas. By hiring local guides, staying in community-run lodges, and buying handmade crafts, tourists directly support regional economies and preserve cultural traditions. Community-based models place locals at the centre, helping them manage and run tourism activities. This builds strong ownership and ensures that the benefits stay with the people.
(4) This approach has led to better income and infrastructure in rural areas. Moreover, involving the community in conservation efforts encourages responsible stewardship and strengthens the bond between people and their environment.
(5) However, eco-tourism is not without challenges. Not all operators practice what they preach. Some misuse the label to appear green without ethical conduct. It is a problem known as greenwashing. Moreover, too many tourists can strain ecosystems causing erosion, habitat disruption, and pollution even in the most well-meaning eco-tourism sites.
(6) To be truly effective, eco-tourism must abide by strict codes of conduct, control its environmental footprint, and ensure genuine benefit-sharing with local communities. With well-managed practices and respect for nature, eco-tourism can offer young learners a powerful lesson: it is possible to enjoy the beauty of our world while caring for it and the people who call it home.
Answer the following questions based on the passage above:
(i) Complete with a suitable reason. 1
Eco-tourism is considered a responsible way of travelling because ___________.
(ii) Fill in the blank with an appropriate word/phrase.
Costa Rica has __________ large expanses of land into national parks to preserve the areas. 1
(iii) Eco-tourism offers an opportunity to the local people to preserve their heritage by: 1
(A) converting parks into national reserves.
(B) selling handmade handicrafts as souvenirs.
(C) using modern technology to present their culture.
(D) improving their infrastructure.
(iv) Which of the following is/are economic benefit(s) of eco-tourism for local communities? (Paragraph 3)
- It increases government tax revenues only.
- It creates jobs through spending on lodges, guides and food.
- It primarily supports large international corporations.
- It reduces the need for community involvement.
- It increases income and infrastructure.
- Locals adopt unethical methods to attract tourists.
Select the correct option. 1
(A) Only 1 (B) 2 and 6
(C) 3 and 5 (D) 2 and 5
(v) List any two challenges faced by eco-tourism. 2
(vi) How can eco-tourism be truly effective? 1
(vii) What ecological issues can result from too many tourists visiting eco-tourism sites? 1
(A) reduced carbon emissions and habitat restoration
(B) innovation and improved infrastructure
(C) erosion, habitat disruption and pollution
(D) cultural revival and increased bio-diversity
(viii) What, according to the passage, are some of the well-managed practices that can lead to effective eco-tourism? Paragraph (6)
Answer –
(i) it conserves natural environments, respects local cultures and benefits communities instead of exploiting them.
(ii) converted / set aside (turned)
(iii) B: selling handmade handicrafts as souvenirs
(iv) D: 2 and 5
(v) Greenwashing (operators misusing the “green” label), and damage from too many tourists (erosion, habitat disruption, pollution).
(vi) By following strict codes of conduct, controlling its environmental footprint and sharing benefits genuinely with local communities.
(vii) C: erosion, habitat disruption and pollution
(viii) Strict codes of conduct, controlling the environmental footprint, genuine benefit-sharing with locals, and respect for nature.
Section B: Writing (22 Marks)
Q3. Write an application, in not more than 50 words, requesting permission to use a school resource – computer lab, to prepare for a presentation on benefits of social media. You are Lakshita/Lakshit Pandey, Class X-C, Head of Science Club. (3)
Answer –
The Principal,
[School Name]
[Date]
Subject: Permission to use the computer lab
Respected Sir/Ma’am,
I am Lakshit Pandey (Class X-C), Head, Science Club. I request permission to use the computer lab this Thursday after school hours for one hour. I need to prepare a presentation on the benefits of social media for an upcoming inter-school contest. We promise to maintain complete discipline. Kindly grant us permission.
Yours obediently,
Lakshit Pandey
Class X-C
Q4. Write a factual description in not more than 100 words of your favourite place where you would like to relax, highlighting its atmosphere, location, and what makes it special for you. (4)
Answer-
My Favourite Retreat: Manali
Manali, located in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, is my favorite place to relax. Winding paths are shaded by tall pine and deodar trees, and the clear river reflects the mountain sky. The air is cool and peaceful, with only the sounds of birds and flowing water.
I love sitting by the river bank, especially when I just want to sit back and read a book. Evenings here are really special—the sky turns a beautiful golden color, and families walking by give the place a cozy, peaceful feel. It’s my favorite escape whenever exam stress or daily life gets overwhelming. Spending a little quiet time here always clears my mind and leaves me feeling completely refreshed.
Q5. Answer any one of the two, (a) or (b), in 120 words: (7)
(a) The rising cost of healthcare and the lack of access to essential medical services in rural and underprivileged areas remain a critical issue in India. Many people suffer due to inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified doctors, and unaffordable treatments.
As Anita/Aman Verma, Regional Park, Hawapur, write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your concern about this issue. Highlight its impact on peoples’ well-being and suggest practical solutions to improve access to healthcare and make medical services more affordable for all.
OR
(b) Climate change is one of the most pressing global issues today, with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation affecting life across the planet. While governments and organisations take action, it is equally important for the youth to understand their role and act responsibly toward a sustainable future.
As Anu/Aarav Mehta, Sunrise Apartment, Paninagar, write a letter to the editor of a national daily expressing your concern about climate change, emphasizing the role of younger people in combating it, and suggesting practical steps the youth can take to make a positive impact.
Answer-
(a)
[Date]
The Editor
[National Daily]
Subject: Rising healthcare costs and poor access in rural India
Sir/Madam,
Through your newspaper, I wish to voice concern over costly healthcare and the lack of medical services in rural and underprivileged areas.
Poor infrastructure, too few qualified doctors and unaffordable treatment push families into debt or force them to ignore illness. Preventable diseases turn fatal, and productivity and well-being suffer.
I suggest:
- building and staffing primary health centres,
- offering incentives for doctors to serve in villages,
- expanding insurance and free-medicine schemes,
- using telemedicine and mobile clinics.
Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Urgent action will secure a healthier India.
Yours faithfully,
Aman Verma
(b)
Sunrise Apartment
Paninagar
[Date]
The Editor
[Name of the National Daily]
[City]
Subject: Climate change and the role of the youth
Sir/Madam,
Through your esteemed newspaper, I wish to share my deep concern about climate change.
Last summer, the heat in our city was unbearable. The sudden floods that followed left many families without homes. Such events are no longer rare. They are warnings. Governments are taking action, but we, the youth, will inherit this planet and must not wait.
Small steps can make a real difference. We can:
- plant and care for trees,
- save electricity and water,
- avoid single-use plastic,
- walk, cycle or use public transport,
- spread awareness through social media and school clubs.
If every young person acts today, tomorrow will be greener and safer.
Yours faithfully,
Aarav Mehta
Q6. Answer any one of the two, (a) or (b), in 150 words: (8)
(a) Write an article, as Sharvi/Sarvodaya Gautam, Class X-B, advocating for accelerated investment in space travel and exploration. Focus on the benefits for scientific advancement, inspiration to youth, and global collaboration. Share specific advantages and discuss the importance of nurturing a space-minded generation. Additionally, propose one recommendation for policymakers and educators to integrate space-learning into school curricula.
Use the given cues, along with your own ideas and those you may have gathered from the Unit: Science, to create this article.
|
OR
(b) You are Tanu/Tariq, a student of Class X. Write an article for your school magazine on the topic “Empowering Futures: The Case of Girl Child Education”. Highlight the importance of educating girls exploring how education benefits not just individuals, but families and society. Additionally, propose how schools and students can contribute by raising awareness, supporting peers, or advocating change to ensure every girl has access to quality education.
Use the given cues, along with your own ideas and those you may have gathered from the Unit-2: Education, to create this article.
|
Answer –
(a) Reaching for the Stars: Why We Must Invest in Space
By Sarvodaya Gautam, Class X-B
Space exploration is not a luxury; it is an investment in humanity’s future. It drives scientific discovery, from understanding the universe’s origins to developing satellite technology, weather forecasting and medical advances.
It also fuels STEM inspiration. When young people watch rockets launch or rovers land on Mars, they dream of becoming scientists and engineers. A space-minded generation is a problem-solving generation.
The technological, economic and geopolitical benefits are real. Space research creates jobs and new industries, improves communication and navigation, and encourages nations to collaborate, as the International Space Station shows.
Policymakers and educators should make space-learning part of school curricula through astronomy labs, planetarium visits and satellite-based projects.
By investing boldly today, we explore the cosmos and build a smarter, united world.
(b) Empowering Futures: The Case of Girl Child Education
By Tanu, Class X
Imagine a girl who loves to read but is told to stay home and help in the kitchen. Her dreams are put away like old books on a shelf. When we educate a girl, we change much more than her own life.
An educated girl grows into a confident woman who can earn, make her own decisions and care for her family’s health. She sends her children to school, and the whole community moves forward.
Yet many girls are still left behind. Some families cannot afford fees and books, and sons are often preferred. Old beliefs, like “girls are meant for marriage,” end studies early, and unsafe routes to school worry parents. The government is helping through schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, scholarships and free textbooks.
But change begins with us. Schools and students can hold awareness drives, share notes with struggling classmates and start a book bank for girls in need.
Every girl deserves a chance to dream. Let us make sure no one takes it away.
Section C: Grammar (10 marks)
Q7. Fill in the blanks (i) – (iii) with the appropriate option from those given in the brackets. (3×1=3)
Renewable energy is essential to the world’s efforts to (i) ___________ (reduce/reducing/ reduced) dependence on fossil fuels. Solar and wind power (ii) ___________ (has emerged/emerge/are emerging) as the most promising alternatives. Many countries (iii) ___________ (are invest/is investing/are investing) heavily in renewable infrastructure to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.
Answer –
i). reduce
ii). are emerging
iii). are investing
Q8. In the following paragraph, one word has been omitted in each line. In your answer sheets, remember to write the missing word along with the word that comes before and after it, as shown below. The first one has been done as an example. (4×1=4)
| S. No. | Text | Word before | Missing word | Word after |
| e.g | Greenhouse gases trap heat the earth’s | heat | in | the |
| i | atmosphere. They released mainly from | |||
| ii | burning fossil. An increase in greenhouse | |||
| iii | gases leads global warming and climate change. | |||
| iv | Melting glaciers and rising sea levels effects of climate change |
Answer –
| S. No. | Text | Word before | Missing word | Word after |
| i | atmosphere. They released mainly from | They | are | released |
| ii | burning fossil. An increase in greenhouse | fossil | fuels | An |
| iii | gases leads global warming and climate change. | leads | to | global |
| iv | Melting glaciers and rising sea levels effects of climate change | levels | are | effects |
Q9. Do as directed: (1+2)
(i) Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases in the given dialogue to create a meaningful sentence. (1)
Patient: Doctor, I’ve been having a severe headache for the past three days, what should I do?
Doctor: and avoid stress / don’t worry / I’ll prescribe you / also advise you / it seems like / some medicine and / a case of migraine / to take proper rest
Answer –
Doctor: “Don’t worry, it seems like a case of migraine. I’ll prescribe you some medicine and also advise you to take proper rest and avoid stress.”
(ii) Report the conversation given below by filling in the blanks to complete the following paragraph: (1+1)
Teacher: Why didn’t you submit your homework yesterday?
Student: I am sorry ma’am. I wasn’t feeling well.
The teacher asked the student ___________. The student replied that he was ___________.
Answer –
The teacher asked the student why he had not submitted his homework the previous day. The student replied that he was sorry and that he had not been feeling well.
SECTION D – (Literature Textbook) (26 marks)
Q10. Read the given extracts and answer the questions briefly, for any two extracts, of the given three, (a), (b), (c). (4+4=8)
(a) The great night duly arrived, moonlit and cloudless. A platform had been constructed in a comfortable and conveniently placed tree, and thereon crouched Mrs. Packletide and her paid companion, Miss Mebbin. A goat, gifted with a particularly persistent bleat, such as even a partially deaf tiger might be reasonably expected to hear on a still night, was tethered at the correct distance. With an accurately sighted rifle and a thumbnail pack of patience cards the sportswoman awaited the coming of the quarry. (Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger)
(i) On what kind of night did the event take place? 1
(ii) What does the writer mean when he says “such as even a partially deaf tiger might be reasonably expected to hear on a still night”? 1
(iii) Where was the platform constructed? 1
(iv) Which word in the passage is closest in meaning to the following phrase?
“A person or animal being hunted or looked for.” 1
Answer –
(i) A moonlit and cloudless night.
(ii) The goat’s bleat was so loud and persistent that even a partly deaf tiger would hear it on a still night.
(iii) In a comfortable and conveniently placed tree.
(iv) quarry
(b) You would take a stick and break him now, and finish him off.
But must I confess how I liked him,
How glad I was he had come like a guest in quiet, to drink at my water-trough
And depart peaceful, pacified, and thankless,
Into the burning bowels of this earth? (Snake)
(i) How did the poet feel about the snake’s visit? 1
(ii) Where did the snake depart after drinking at the water-trough? 1
(iii) What action is suggested to the narrator on how to deal with the snake? 1
(iv) What did the poet compare the snake’s visit to? 1
Answer –
(i) The poet felt glad and honoured, and liked the snake’s visit.
(ii) Into the burning bowels of the earth.
(iii) To take a stick, break the snake and finish it off.
(iv) To the visit of a guest.
(c) Mrs. Slater: Henry, why shouldn’t we bring that bureau down here now ? We could do it before they come.
Henry (stupefied): I wouldn’t care to.
Mrs. Slater: Don’t look so daft. Why not?
Henry: It doesn’t seem delicate, somehow.
Mrs. Slater: We could put that shabby old chest of drawers upstairs where the bureau is now. Elizabeth could have that and welcome. I’ve always wanted to get rid of it. (She points to the drawers.) (The Dear Departed)
(i) Why does Mrs. Slater want to bring the bureau down? 1
(ii) How does Henry react to Mrs. Slater’s suggestion? 1
(iii) What piece of furniture does Mrs. Slater want to move upstairs? 1
(iv) To whom does Mrs. Slater think the old chest of drawers can be given? 1
Answer –
(i) She wants to show the better piece of furniture before the relatives arrive, so that they think it belongs to the Slaters.
(ii) Henry is stupefied, reluctant, and says it doesn’t seem delicate.
(iii) The shabby old chest of drawers.
(iv) Elizabeth.
Q11. Answer any five of the following six questions in 30 – 40 words each: (5×2=10)
(i) Why did the narrator feel deeply moved by the boy’s devotion? (Two Gentlemen of Verona) 2
(ii) What role did the Ouija board play in the story? (A Shady Plot) 2
(iii) Why did the nightingale lose her natural charm in singing? (The Frog and the Nightingale) 2
(iv) How did Patol Babu’s attitude change after rehearsing his scene? (Patol Babu, Film Star) 2
(v) How does the poem highlight the theme of transience of glory and power? (Ozymandias) 2
(vi) Why was Sebastian Shultz in a coma and how was it connected to the computer games? (Virtually True) 2
Answer –
(i) The narrator was deeply moved because the boys, hardened by war yet selfless, secretly worked and sacrificed to pay for their sister’s care. Their courage, maturity and devotion restored his faith in human nobility.
(ii) The Ouija board triggers the supernatural plot. It spells messages naming “Helen”, exposes the narrator’s flirtation, frightens and humiliates him at a ladies’ party, and brings the ghost in.
(iii) The nightingale lost her charm because she tried to please the frog and the audience. She strained her voice under the frog’s training and sang for praise, so her natural sweetness and spontaneity disappeared.
(iv) At first Patol Babu was nervous and unsure. After rehearsing his one-line scene he became confident and proud, and he began to take his small role seriously, as a real artist would.
(v) The poem shows a ruined statue in the desert, with only the inscription “Look on my works” left. The sneer of the once-mighty king survives, but his empire is gone, so even great power fades with time.
(vi) Sebastian Shultz collapsed into a coma after playing computer games for long hours without rest. He became so absorbed in the virtual world that he lost touch with reality, and his body and mind gave way.
Q12. Answer any one of the following two questions, (a) or (b), in about 150 words: (8)
(a) Analyze how the two texts: ‘Julius Caesar’ and ‘Patol Babu, Film Star’ explore the idea of personal ambition.
OR
(b) Compare the role of patience and endurance in “The Letter” and “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”.
Answer –
(a) Both texts examine ambition, but with very different results. In Julius Caesar, ambition is political and dangerous. Caesar’s growing power makes the Roman conspirators fear he will become a tyrant. Brutus acts for Rome, while Cassius is driven by envy. Their ambition for control and Caesar’s own pride lead to assassination, civil war and ruin. Ambition unchecked by morality destroys.
In Patol Babu, Film Star, ambition is small and personal. A middle-aged man long hoped to act and finally gets a tiny role. He rehearses with care and pride, and the film world has little regard for him. Yet he is happy because he gave his best, which shows his ambition is about self-worth, not power.
Together the texts show that ambition can corrupt when it seeks power, but can bring quiet fulfilment when it seeks honest self-expression.
(b) Both texts show how long suffering can change a person, but the reasons for that suffering are very different.
In “The Letter”, Ali’s patience comes from love and hope. Day after day, he waits at the post office for news from his daughter, Miriam. Age and loneliness do not stop him, and his quiet faith in her letter keeps him going. His patience also changes the postmaster, who learns kindness and compassion by watching him.
In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, endurance is a punishment. After killing the albatross, the Mariner suffers thirst, isolation and guilt. He watches his shipmates die and carries the burden of his sin. Only after he learns to love and respect all living creatures is he released from this torment.
So Ali’s patience is chosen, while the Mariner’s endurance is forced. Both, however, end in a deeper understanding of human feeling and of respect for life.
