📘 Class 10 English — Important Questions 2026

First Flight (Prose + Poetry) + Footprints Without Feet + Grammar + Writing Skills

Complete Chapter-wise Guide with Answer Hints — Score 80+ in Board Exam!

📅 Board Exam 2026 — Check Date Sheet →

English is one of the most scoring subjects in Class 10 Board Exams, yet many Hindi-medium students find it challenging. The key to scoring 80+ marks is not memorizing answers but understanding the pattern, keywords, and answer structure that examiners look for.

This guide covers every chapter from First Flight (prose and poetry), Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader), Grammar, and Writing Skills. Each question includes 2-3 line answer hints so you know exactly what to write in the exam.

📖 Preparation Order: Read Chapter-wise Notes → Solve these Important Questions → Attempt 200 MCQ Mega Test → Revise weak areas using One-Shot Revision Guide

⚠️ RBSE Students Note: CBSE English paper = 80 marks Theory (no Practical/Internal). RBSE English = 80 marks (Theory 60 + Internal Assessment 20). The marks distribution below follows CBSE pattern — RBSE proportions remain the same. RBSE students should focus especially on Grammar and Writing sections as these carry higher relative weight.

📊 Class 10 English — Marks Distribution 2026

📖 Section A — Reading Comprehension (20 Marks) — Easiest to Score!

All answers are IN the passage. No memorization needed — only scanning and understanding!

⭐ Passage 1: Discursive Passage (10 Marks) [Practice Passages →]

A discursive passage is a factual or opinion-based text (300-350 words) on topics like environment, technology, education, health, or social issues. It tests your ability to understand main ideas, vocabulary in context, and inference. You will answer 10 MCQs (1 mark each).

Common Question Types in Passage 1:

1. Main idea / Title: "What is the central theme of the passage?" — Look at the first and last paragraphs. The title should capture the overall message, not just one detail.
2. Vocabulary in context: "The word '___' in para 2 means..." — Don't use dictionary meaning! Read the sentence around the word and find the best-fitting synonym from options.
3. Inference: "What can be inferred from paragraph 3?" — The answer is implied, not stated directly. Look for clues like cause-effect, contrast, or author's tone.
4. True/False/Not stated: "Which of the following is NOT mentioned?" — Scan each option against the passage. If you can't find it mentioned anywhere, it's "Not stated".
5. Author's purpose: "The author wrote this passage to..." — Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or warn? Look at the overall tone (neutral = inform, emotional = persuade).

⭐ Passage 2: Case-Based Passage (10 Marks) [Practice →]

A case-based passage presents data, charts, or real-world scenarios (200-250 words). Topics include advertisements, reports, infographics, or notices. You need to interpret data and draw conclusions. Again, 10 MCQs (1 mark each).

📝 Section B — Grammar (10 Marks) — सबसे Easy Scoring!

Grammar is formula-based. Learn the rules → Get 10/10. No creativity needed!

⭐ 1. Tenses — Gap Filling (3 Marks) [Detailed Notes →]

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb: "She _____ (write) a letter when I _____ (reach) her house."
   💡 Answer Hint: "was writing" (Past Continuous — action in progress) + "reached" (Simple Past — completed action). Rule: When two past actions happen — ongoing = Past Continuous, interrupting = Simple Past. Signal word: "when".
2. Complete the passage: "The train _____ (leave) before we _____ (arrive). We _____ (wait) for two hours now."
   💡 Answer Hint: "had left" (Past Perfect — earlier past action) + "arrived" (Simple Past) + "have been waiting" (Present Perfect Continuous). Rule: "before" = Past Perfect + Simple Past. "for...now" = Present Perfect Continuous.

⭐ 2. Editing / Omission (3 Marks) [Notes →]

1. Edit the following passage (one error in each line): "The childrens were playing in a park. One of them fall down and start crying. His mother, who was sat nearby, quickly ran to help."
   💡 Answer Hint: childrens → children (irregular plural) | fall → fell (Past Tense) | start → started (tense consistency) | sat → sitting (was + V-ing). Common errors to spot: Articles (a/an/the), Subject-Verb agreement, Tense consistency, Prepositions, Spelling.

⭐ 3. Sentence Transformation — Reported Speech (4 Marks) [Notes →]

1. Change to Reported Speech: (a) Ram said to Sita, "I will help you tomorrow." (b) The teacher said, "Do not make noise in the class."
   💡 Answer Hint: (a) Ram told Sita that he would help her the next day. [said to → told | I → he | will → would | you → her | tomorrow → the next day] (b) The teacher ordered the students not to make noise in the class. [Imperative: said → ordered/requested + to/not to + V1]

✍️ Section B — Writing Skills (10 Marks)

Formal Letter (5M) + Analytical Paragraph (5M) — Format matters more than language!

⭐ 1. Formal Letter (5 Marks) [Complete Format →]

1. Write a letter to the Municipal Commissioner about poor road conditions in your area. (5M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected
   💡 Answer Hint: Subject: Complaint regarding deplorable road conditions in [Area]. Body: Para 1 — introduce problem (potholes, waterlogging, accidents). Para 2 — impact on residents (health, vehicle damage, senior citizens). Para 3 — request immediate repair with timeline. Key phrases: "I wish to draw your kind attention", "The residents have been suffering", "kindly look into the matter at the earliest."
2. Write a letter to the Editor about water scarcity in your city. (5M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Subject: Acute water scarcity in [City]. Body: Current situation (irregular supply, contamination), Causes (wastage, old pipelines), Suggestions (rainwater harvesting, recycling, awareness). Close: "I hope you will publish this to bring the issue to the notice of concerned authorities."
3. Write a letter to the Principal requesting permission for a Science Exhibition. (5M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Subject: Permission to organize Science Exhibition. Body: Purpose (scientific thinking, practical learning), proposed date and venue, activities planned (models, experiments, quiz), benefits (teamwork, holistic development). Sign as: "Name, Class X-A, Roll No."

⭐ 2. Analytical Paragraph (5 Marks) [Format + Examples →]

Based on a chart, graph, table, or data. Describe trends, compare, conclude in 100-120 words.

1. Write an analytical paragraph based on a pie chart showing "Time Spent by Students on Different Activities". (5M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Structure: (1) "The given pie chart depicts..." (2) Highest value first (3) Compare 2-3 categories using "while...compared to..." (4) Lowest value (5) "It can be concluded that..." Use: "accounts for", "constitutes", "majority", "in contrast", "significant portion".

📖 First Flight — Prose Chapters (30 Marks Total with Poetry)

Extract MCQs + Short Answers + Long Answers — This section decides your final score!

⭐ Ch 1: A Letter to God — G.L. Fuentes [Detailed Notes →]

Theme: Unshakeable faith of a simple farmer (Lencho) in God. Key Message: Faith can be so strong that even when reality contradicts it, the believer finds reasons to maintain it. Also shows the irony of human goodness going unrecognized.

1. 🟡 Why did Lencho write a letter to God? What does this tell us about his character? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Asked
   💡 Answer Hint: Lencho's crops were destroyed by hailstorm. He had unwavering faith in God and believed God would send him 100 pesos. He wrote a letter addressed "To God" and dropped it at the post office. This shows he was simple, innocent, deeply religious — a man who trusted God completely, like a child trusts a parent.
2. 🟡 Why did Lencho call the post office employees "a bunch of crooks"? What is the irony? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Post office employees collected money from their own salaries (70 of 100 pesos). Lencho assumed the "missing" 30 pesos were stolen by employees. The irony: the very people who helped him selflessly were called thieves. Real helpers considered crooks, imaginary respondent (God) got all credit. This is situational irony.
3. 🟣 What role did the postmaster play? How does this highlight human compassion? (5M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Postmaster was moved by Lencho's faith. Contributed from own salary, asked employees and friends to donate. Signed reply as "God" to preserve Lencho's faith. Shows anonymous generosity — helping a stranger without expecting recognition. Despite being called a crook, his act remains noble. Message: true kindness needs no acknowledgment. Write about: his initial amusement, then compassion, the collection drive, signing as God, and the thankless outcome.

⭐ Ch 2: Nelson Mandela — Long Walk to Freedom [Notes →]

Theme: Apartheid in South Africa, Mandela's struggle for freedom and equality. Key Message: Freedom is indivisible — the oppressor is as much a prisoner as the oppressed.

1. 🟡 "The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed." Explain. (3M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected
   💡 Answer Hint: The oppressor is a prisoner of hatred and prejudice. Trapped in narrow-mindedness, they lose humanity and compassion. True freedom means both sides are free. Real liberation is not just political but psychological and moral. A person who hates is not truly free — they are chained by their own intolerance.
2. 🟡 What "twin obligations" does Mandela mention? (3M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Two obligations: (1) To family — as son, husband, father. (2) To people and country — as a citizen. Under apartheid, fulfilling both was impossible. Mandela chose nation over personal happiness because millions were denied basic rights. He sacrificed family life for collective freedom.
3. 🟣 Describe the inauguration ceremony. What was its significance? (5M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: 10 May 1994, Union Buildings, Pretoria. 140+ countries' dignitaries. Oath with Thabo Mbeki and F.W. de Klerk (deputy presidents). SA jets flyover, new rainbow flag raised. Significance: end of 300+ years of white domination and apartheid. Birth of non-racial democracy. Cover: setting, attendees, oath, military salute, emotions, symbolic meaning.

⭐ Ch 3: Two Stories about Flying | Ch 4: Anne Frank | Ch 5: Glimpses of India | Ch 6: Mijbil the Otter

1. 🟡 How did the young seagull overcome his fear of flying? What lesson does it teach? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Seagull feared the sea below. Mother tempted with food (fish). Driven by hunger, he dived and found himself flying. Lesson: (1) Take the first step — rest follows. (2) Fear is in the mind. (3) Family motivation is crucial.
2. 🟡 Why did Anne Frank think she could confide more in her diary than in people? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Anne felt "paper has more patience than people." During Nazi occupation, hiding in Amsterdam, diary "Kitty" became her closest companion. A diary doesn't judge, interrupt, or share secrets. Reflects loneliness of adolescence — surrounded by people yet feeling misunderstood.
3. 🟡 How does Maxwell describe his life with Mijbil the Otter? (3M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Got Mij from Tigris marshes, Iraq. Playful, intelligent, loved water — splashed in bathtub for hours. Challenges: destroyed airline compartment during travel, London people mistook Mij for various animals. Shows human-animal bond and joy of unconventional pets.

⭐ Ch 7: Madam Rides the Bus | Ch 8: The Sermon at Benares | Ch 10: The Proposal [Notes →]

1. 🟣 What lesson did Kisa Gotami learn from the Buddha? How does the "Sermon at Benares" teach about death? (5M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected 5-Mark
   💡 Answer Hint: Kisa Gotami's son died. Buddha asked her to get mustard seeds from a house where no one had ever died. She couldn't find any — every family had experienced death. She understood: (1) Death is universal. (2) Excessive grieving increases suffering. (3) The wise accept impermanence of life. (4) "Life of mortals is troubled, brief and combined with pain." Link to Four Noble Truths. Write about: her grief, Buddha's task, her journey door-to-door, realization, and the teaching.
2. 🟡 How did Valli plan her bus ride? What does it reveal about her character? (3M)
   💡 Answer Hint: 8-year-old Valli: gathered info about bus timing and fare (30 paise), saved money by resisting peppermints and balloons, chose time when mother napped. Shows: curious, determined, self-disciplined, resourceful, independent.
3. 🟣 How does Chekhov use humour and satire in "The Proposal"? (5M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Techniques: (1) Exaggeration — Lomov's palpitations. (2) Repetition — arguments restart after reconciliation. (3) Situational irony — comes to propose, ends up fighting. (4) Physical comedy — Lomov faints. (5) Verbal humour — self-contradictions. Satire targets: Russian middle-class values (land over love), marriage as business, human ego. They argue even after engagement. Arguments: Oxen Meadows ownership, Squeezer vs Guess (dogs).

📜 Poetry — Dust of Snow, Fire and Ice, A Tiger in the Zoo, Amanda, Animals [Poetry Notes →]

1. 🟡 How did the crow and hemlock tree change the poet's mood in "Dust of Snow"? (2M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Asked
   💡 Answer Hint: Crow (bad omen) on hemlock tree (poison) shook snow on poet — changed gloomy mood to happy. Message: small ordinary moments bring joy. Nature heals. Things considered negative (crow, hemlock) can bring positive change. Find beauty in unexpected places.
2. 🟡 What do fire and ice symbolize? (2M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Fire = desire, passion, greed (burning emotions). Ice = hatred, coldness, indifference (frozen emotions). Both can destroy the world. Commentary on human nature's two greatest weaknesses. Frost personally experienced how desire can be destructive.
3. 🟡 How does the tiger in the zoo differ from the tiger in the wild? (2M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Wild: lurking in shadow, sliding through grass, terrorizing village — free, powerful. Zoo: locked in concrete cell, stalking cage, ignoring visitors, staring at stars — caged, frustrated. Message: animal rights, cruelty of captivity. Spirit is broken.
4. 🟡 Why does Amanda wish to be a mermaid, orphan, and Rapunzel? (2M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Amanda feels suffocated by constant nagging. Mermaid = ocean freedom. Orphan = no parents to nag. Rapunzel = peaceful solitude (won't let hair down = won't let anyone control her). Critiques over-controlling parenting.
5. 🟡 "The Ball Poem" — What does the boy learn from the loss? Why not buy a new ball? (2M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Ball = childhood, innocence, memories. Boy learns first lesson of loss — some things once gone never return. "Money is external" — material things replaceable but emotional value cannot be replaced. First encounter with impermanence.
6. 🟡 How did Custard the Dragon prove everyone wrong? What is the irony? (2M) ⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Custard was mocked by Ink (kitten), Blink (mouse), Mustard (dog) for being timid. When a pirate appeared, all "brave" pets fled — Custard gobbled up the pirate! Irony: (1) supposedly brave animals turned cowards, (2) the "coward" was the real hero, (3) after being saved, they continued mocking Custard. True courage is shown in crisis, not in boasting.
7. 🟡 "For Anne Gregory" — What is the deeper meaning of the old man's statement about God? (2M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Anne Gregory says she can change her yellow hair to brown/black so men love her for herself, not appearance. The old religious man says only God can love the soul directly — humans are inevitably influenced by outer beauty first. Yeats' message: in the material world, appearances matter whether we like it or not. Only divine love transcends physical form. This is a commentary on human nature's superficiality.
8. 🟡 Why does the poet wish to live with animals in Walt Whitman's "Animals"? (2M) ⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Animals are: placid, self-contained, don't whine, don't lie awake weeping for sins, not dissatisfied, don't worship their kind, no greed for possessions. Contrasts with greedy, unhappy, hypocritical humans. NOT about living with actual animals — it's about wishing humans had these qualities.

👣 Footprints Without Feet — Supplementary Reader (10 Marks)

2 Short Answers (3M each) + 1 Long Answer (5M) — Internal Choice Available!

⭐ Ch 1: A Triumph of Surgery | Ch 3: The Midnight Visitor | Ch 4: A Question of Trust [Notes →]

1. 🟡 How was Tricki cured? Was it really surgery? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected
   💡 Answer Hint: Mrs. Pumphrey's dog Tricki was overfed to illness. Dr. Herriot gave him no food, only water for 2 days, then plain food + exercise. Within two weeks — perfectly healthy. No surgery — the "triumph" is ironic. Real cure = controlled diet and exercise. Satirizes overindulgent pet owners.
2. 🟡 How did Ausable outwit Max? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Ausable (fat, unimpressive spy) invented a non-existent balcony below window. When knocking came (waiter), Ausable said "police". Max panicked, jumped to the "balcony" — fell to his death. Intelligence > brute force. Brain is the greatest weapon.

⭐ Ch 5: Footprints Without Feet | Ch 7: The Necklace | Ch 8: The Hack Driver [Notes →]

1. 🟣 How did Griffin's invisibility lead to his downfall? (5M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected Long Answer
   💡 Answer Hint: Griffin: brilliant scientist, discovered invisibility. But lawless and short-tempered. Crimes: set landlord's house on fire, stole food/clothes, robbed theatrical company, stole from clergyman, attacked villagers. His temper drew attention despite invisibility — muddy footprints, witnesses. Message: (1) Science without morality is dangerous. (2) Power without responsibility = destruction. (3) Character flaws expose you regardless of abilities. (4) Brilliant mind wasted on selfishness = tragedy.
2. 🟣 How did the necklace change Matilda's life? What is the twist? (5M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Matilda borrowed diamond necklace from Mme Forestier for a ball. Lost it. Borrowed 36,000 francs for replacement. Spent 10 years in poverty repaying. Twist: original necklace was fake (worth 500 francs). Message: (1) Appearances are deceptive. (2) Vanity leads to suffering. (3) Honesty would have saved 10 years. (4) Contentment is true wealth.
3. 🟡 How did the hack driver (Oliver Lutkins) fool the young lawyer? (3M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Lawyer went to serve summons on Lutkins. The hack driver himself was Lutkins! He took the lawyer all over town "searching" for Lutkins — charging money the whole time. Everyone in town played along. Next day, lawyer returned with a colleague who recognized Lutkins. Message: don't judge by appearances, small-town cleverness can fool city education.

📖 Section A — Reading Comprehension (20 Marks) — All Answers are IN the Passage!

Passage 1: Discursive/Literary (10M) + Passage 2: Case-based with data (10M)

⭐ Passage 1: Discursive Passage (10 Marks — MCQ-based) [Practice Passages →]

This passage is usually 400-450 words on topics like environment, technology, education, health, social issues, or Indian culture. You get 10 MCQs worth 1 mark each. The passage can be factual, descriptive, or argumentative. Understanding the passage structure helps you locate answers quickly.

Common question types: (1) Main idea/title — look at first and last paragraphs. (2) Vocabulary/Synonym — read surrounding sentences for context clues. (3) Inference — answer is implied, not directly stated. (4) Detail-based — find the exact line. (5) Tone/Attitude — look for adjectives and adverbs used by the author.

⭐ Passage 2: Case-based / Data Interpretation (10 Marks) [Practice Sets →]

Includes a graph, chart, table, or infographic with text. Common topics: survey results, statistical data about India, health/education data, comparison charts. Tests your ability to read both text and data together.

📜 More Poetry — Custard the Dragon, For Anne Gregory, Animals (Deeper Coverage)

⭐ Custard the Dragon (Ogden Nash) — Humour + Irony [Notes →]

Characters: Belinda (girl), Ink (black kitten), Blink (grey mouse), Mustard (yellow dog), Custard (dragon). Theme: True bravery vs false bravery. Literary Devices: Irony, Humour, Repetition, Ballad form, Mock-heroic poetry.

1. 🟡 How did Custard prove that real courage is shown in crisis, not in boasting? (2M) ⭐⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Ink, Blink, Mustard always boasted bravery but fled when real pirate appeared. Only Custard attacked head-on and gobbled the pirate up. Proves: (1) Talk is cheap — action defines courage. (2) Quiet, humble ones are often bravest. (3) Boasting masks cowardice. After being saved, others still claimed they could have done better — shows human tendency to belittle real heroes.
2. 🟡 How does Nash use humour? Describe the pirate's appearance. (2M)
   💡 Answer Hint: Pirate: pistols in both hands, cutlass in teeth, black beard, wooden leg. Humour: (1) Rhyming names (Ink, Blink). (2) Exaggeration — Custard "ate" the pirate. (3) Contrast — boasters becoming cowards. (4) Repetition — "nice safe cage". (5) Understatement — hero still called coward. Mock-heroic poetry — trivial subject with grand language.

⭐ For Anne Gregory (W.B. Yeats) + Animals (Walt Whitman) — Deeper [Notes →]

1. 🟡 "Only God could love you for yourself alone" — explain the central message. (2M) ⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Men love Anne for her honey-coloured hair (outer beauty), not inner qualities. Even dyeing hair won't help — humans judge by appearance first. Only God can see past physical beauty to the true soul. Raises: is truly unconditional love possible among humans? Physical attraction is natural, but highest love transcends it.
2. 🟡 What qualities of animals does Whitman admire? Why prefer animals over humans? (2M) ⭐⭐
   💡 Answer Hint: Animals: placid, self-contained, don't weep for sins, not dissatisfied, no greed, no hero-worship. They "bring me tokens of myself" — represent pure original human nature that humans lost. NOT literally better — animals are a mirror to criticize human greed, hypocrisy, guilt, materialism. Call to return to simplicity and contentment.

👣 Bholi (K.A. Abbas) + The Book That Saved the Earth [Notes →]

Bholi Theme: Transformative power of education for disadvantaged girls. Bholi (Sulekha) — pockmarked, stammering, considered "dull" — transformed by one caring teacher into a confident, self-respecting woman. Key Message: Education builds self-respect, confidence, and courage to challenge injustice.

1. 🟡 How did education change Bholi? Why did she refuse to marry Bishamber? (3M) ⭐⭐⭐ Most Expected
   💡 Answer Hint: Before school: neglected, stammering, called "dumb cow". Teacher showed first-ever kindness and encouragement. Gained confidence, spoke clearly, developed self-respect. At wedding, Bishamber demanded dowry after seeing her face. Bholi threw garland into fire, refused to marry a greedy man. Decided to become a teacher. Transformation: from "Bholi" (simpleton) to a courageous, self-respecting woman. Proves one caring adult can change a life.
2. 🟡 How did a book of nursery rhymes save Earth from Martian invasion? (3M)
   💡 Answer Hint: 25th century — Martian leader Think-Tank found "Mother Goose" nursery rhymes. Interpreted literally: "Humpty Dumpty" = Earthlings planning to crack Martian heads. "Cow jumped over moon" = Earthlings reached Mars. Panicked, cancelled invasion and fled. Message: (1) Books are powerful. (2) Misinterpretation of knowledge = wrong conclusions. (3) Arrogance + ignorance = comedy and disaster.

📈 Previous Year Board Exam — Chapter Frequency Analysis (2020-2025)

Analysis of CBSE Board papers 2020-2025 (12 sets) shows these chapters appear most frequently as main questions (extract, short, or long answer):

For chapter-wise PYQs with solutions: Previous Year Questions Bank | Full-length practice: Sample Papers 2026

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