CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative Set 9 with Solutions (2025)

Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 English Communicative with Solutions Set 9 are designed as per the revised syllabus.

General Instructions

1. This question paper has 12 questions. All questions are compulsory.
2. This question paper contains four sections Section A : Reading Skills,
   Section B : Writing Skills
   Section C: Grammar Max. Marks: 80
   Section D : Literature Textbook
3. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number and part there of in your answer sheet.
4. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
5. Adhere to the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.

Section A
Reading Skills

Question 1.
Read the following passage carefully. (12)

1. A large majority of the elderly in India do not get long-term and palliative care, revealed a study conducted for the United Nations. The survey of more than 10,000 respondents across Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern and Central India during May-June 2018, showed that 62.1% of the elderly did not get such care. More than half of these people, 52.4%, said they primarily need traditional family support, says a study by Age Well Research and Advocacy Centre.

2. Older people in India often face problems such as disability, restricted mobility, loneliness, poverty and lack of awareness on accessing old-term care. With a fast growing population of older people, the ever-increasing gap between generations and the fast and demanding lifestyle of young people, for a majority of older people, life is still a struggle for independence.

3. “According to 64% of elderly respondents, loneliness, marginalisation and isolation are the most critical issues faced by bedridden, elderly patients as they cannot visit, meet or interact with their relatives, friends and neighbours,” said Himanshu Rath, founder of Agewell Foundation.

4. The elderly have to compromise and make adjustments in their lifestyle according to the wishes of the younger members of their families to ensure they are cared for, the study revealed. It highlighted that 67.6% of the elderly being taken care of by their family members have to look after the children of the families. They have to perform tasks such as babysitting in return for proper care and support.

5. “Around 73.7% said they have to take care of the house and other properties of their younger family members to ensure long-term and palliative care in old age,” the study report said.

“Over 75% of respondents have to limit their personal social interactions as their family members direct them to do so, otherwise their family members can avoid providing their basic needs of food and medicines.”

Most elderly respondents (68.5%) said breaking up of the joint family system is one of the biggest factors for the challenges they face in getting long-term, palliative care.

6. Healthcare equipment such as wheelchairs, relief material such as adult diapers and care-giving service should be provided on a regular basis to destitute older people, who are bedridden and suffering from acute mobility issues, the report said. “Though providing long-term and palliative care to older persons comes in the purview of family responsibilities in India, it is observed that older persons, who are financially independents have a high net worth or hold property entitlements, are treated comparatively well by their family members” said Rath.

7. “Managing home care for the elderly is a massive challenge as multiple service providers-nursing agencies, physiotherapists and medical suppliers-are small-scale and unorganised and, therefore, provide incomplete care,” he said. “In India, health insurance coverage is essentially limited to hospitalisation. The concept of geriatric care has remained a neglected area of medicine so far in the country.”

Answer the following questions based on the passage.

(i) Select the option that displays the most likely reason for stating that older people who live with family are no better. (1)
(a) They also suffer from loneliness
(b) They have no one who loves or cares for them
(c) They have additional burden of responsibility
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) All of the above

(ii) Select the option that displays the reason behind financially independent elderly being better off. (1)
(a) They have money of their financial cares
(b) They are treated with much more care and respect
(c) They are seen as one to be revered
(d) They have medical expenses
Answer:
(b) They are treated with much more care and respect

(iii) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The concluding paragraph of the passage makes a clear case for ……
Answer:
providing insurance cover for patients who need geriatric case and are not hospitalised.

(iv) Rectify the given false statement. (1)
In order to get proper care and support, the old people do not have to adjust their lifestyle as per the wishes of their children.
Answer:
In order to get proper care and support, the old people have to adjust their lifestyle as per the wisher of their children.

(v) List any ONE essential requirement for older people suffering from mobility issues. (1)
Answer:
The two essential requirements for older people suffering from mobility issues are wheelchairs and adult diapers.

(vi) After reading the passage, what do you think is the primary need of all the elderly people in India? (2)
Answer:
Traditional family support is the primary need of all the elderly people in India.

(vii) Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement. (2)
The Joint Family System along with the need for private space has brought challenges to the long-term elderly care.
Answer:
The given statement is incorrect because, while the need for private space has created the challenges in long-term elderly care, the joint family system has always made sure that the elderly were well loved and cared for. In fact, it was the breaking up of the joint family system that initiated the problems in elderly care.

(viii) What is the problem with palliative healthcare for the elderly? (2)
Answer:
The problem with palliative healthcare for the elderly is that it is unorganised. Also, the care is incomplete due to the multispeciality clinics or agencies being small-scale. There are not enough trained palliative case providers.

(ix) Why do you think the elderly limit their social interaction? (2)
Answer:
Sometimes the elderly may limit social interactions due to their health issues and sometimes they do so, if a family member asks them to.

Question 2.
Read the following table displaying the readership and themes of four books of different genres. (10)

Answer the following questions based on the above table.

(i) Complete the given sentence with appropriate reason with reference to the information in
the given table. (1)
From the table given above we can infer that even though African readers have the lowest readership percentages across all age groups, romance is ……
Answer:
still a famous and preferred genre there

(ii) Fill in the blank appropriately. (1)
Fiction : Youngsters :: Reality : ……..
Answer:
Senior citizens

(iii) Explain which situation (a)-(c) showcases the most likely reason for non-popularity of
widely read genres amongst the elderly. (1)
(a) The dragons of fantasy literature go against their religious ideas.
(b) The romance literature reminds them of the people who rejected them.
(c) They are interested in reading about the sum of one’s life because of their ages.
(d) They do not like popular books as they are not well written.
Answer:
(c) The other genres such as fantasy, romance and thrillers are not interesting to the elderly readers because they are not interested in fabricated realities. Their lifelong experiences have shown them the harsh truths of life and they are more interested in the life experiences of other people.

(iv) The author of ‘Swordstorm’ is set to release a sequel soon. Choose the region they should
promote their book most heavily, (based on readership percentages) (1)
1. USA
2. Asia
3. Europe
4. Africa
Select the correct option
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 4
(c) Only 3
(d) 3 and 4
Answer:
(3) Asia

(v) What proves that fantasy is the best selling genre? (1)
(a) Europe has a wide readership of fantasy books over other genres.
(b) Middle-aged Asian readers are obsessed with romance novels.
(c) Fantasy genre has the highest readership percentages in three out of four regions.
(d) They do not like popular books as they are not well written
Answer:
(c) Fantasy genre has the highest readership percentages in three out of four regions.

(vi) Identify the book from the above table which is most likely to feature a magic system. (1)
Answer:
The book ‘Fire and Ice’, which belongs to the fantasy genre, is most likely to feature a magic system.

(vii) Maya is 19 years old and facing stress over studies. Her recent favourite book was a romance novel. Which book should she pick to relax with and why? (2)
Answer:
Maya should pick ‘swordstorm’ to relax her mind. As per the given table, swordstorm is a romame novel. Romance novels are often enjoyed by people as they help readers escape reality and give them a sense of relaxation.

(viii) Give one justification each to prove that (2)
(a) Middle-aged people are not interested in seeking romances.
(b) Readership is a favourite pastime of Europeans.
Answer:
(a) From the information presented in the table, it is clear that across all four continents, middle-aged people prefer to read thrillers over other genres such as romance and fantasy. Therefore, it is proven that middle-aged people are not interested in seeking romances.
(b) A study of the information present in the table suggests that the percentage of readership fluctuates across different age groups. But, Europe stands out as the sole region where readership percentages remain steadily high across all age groups.

Section B
Writing Skills [22 Marks]

Question 3.
Write an e-mail in about 50 words to the Principal of your school requesting him to issue your Transfer Certificate and Character Certificate as your father has been transferred to another city and you have to go along and join another institution. (3)
You may copy the given template to write your e-mail.

Answer:
From: [emailprotected]
To: [emailprotected]
Cc: [emailprotected]
Date: 16th August, 20XX

Subject Issuing Transfer Certificate and Character Certificate

Respected Sir/Ma’am

This is to inform you that I am a student of Class X in your school, have to leave this institution as my father has been transferred to Allahabad. For transfer to a different school, I shall require a T.C. and character certificate. As a testament to above, I urge you to look at my skills value education grade as well as my participation in intra-curriculars, I need to have my Transfer Certificate and Character Certificate. I would also bring to your notice that I joined this institution in 2011.1 have always secured first class and have had good conduct as well. I have always participated actively in college events and have won many awards.

I, therefore, request you to kindly issue me these certificates. I shall be highly obliged.

Thanking you
Yours obediently
XYZ

Question 4.
Describe a painting or work of art topic in not more than 100 words. Use the following clues. (4)

Clues

• When did you see this work of art?
• Where did you see it?
• What does it look like?
• And explain why you like it?

Answer:
One of the most popular paintings in the world- the Mona Lisa was painted by an Italian artist- Leonardo DaVinci. The woman in the painting sits markedly upright in an armchair with her arms folded to depict Lisa as a virtuous woman and faithful wife. The painting has become famous partly because of the mystery attached to it. What attracts me the most about this painting is Mona Lisa’s charming smile. It’s one of the most mysterious features of the entire painting. Some people speculate that her smile changes from different angles. In my humble opinion, the painting is deservedly the most iconic painting of all time.

Question 5.
A. You are Yashita, a student of Class X, New Delhi. According to a survey, students are required to cope with the lot of pressure in today’s competitive environment. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily highlighting the increasing stress faced by students and suggest ways to combat the same. Use ideas that you may have gathered from MCB Unit 2 : Education. (7)
Or
B. You are Rita/Rohan.Write a letter to the Editor, The Times of India, Lucknow about your village which does not have a Primary Health Centre in not more than 120 words. The sick villagers have to travel a long distance for medical help. Many villagers have died due to lack of timely medical care. You can use the following clues along with the ideas you may have gathered from MCB Unit 1 : Health and Medicine. (7)

Clues

• No hospital in close proximity
• Many have lost lives
• Time consuming journey
• Need to open primary health clinics

Answer:
A. Flat No. C-406, Sector 12
RK Puram
New Delhi-110022
7th July, 20XX
The Editor
The Hindustan Times
New Delhi

Subject Pressure on Students in Competitive Environment

Sir/Ma’am

Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of educational institutes, parents and students on the stress suffered by young generation of the nation. The world is full of competition in every aspect of life, school being one of them. Students are pressurised to work extremely hard to score top marks. The hectic and exhausting nature of studies accompanied by a tense state of mind results in a stressed life.

The pressure on students has led them to a lifestyle where there is no room for outdoor sporting activities or hobbies. This leads to frustration amongst children, which often manifests in anger and sometimes even violent behaviour.

We must persevere to create an environment of balance between academics and intra-curricular. Focus more on suggestions that allow them to participate in non-academic activities, such as yoga, meditation, etc. Educationists and policy makers must revise the amount of burden on students to calm their nerves and refresh them.

Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Yashita

Or

B. Village Mukhonia
District Mainpuri – 205125
8th August, 20XX
The Editor
Times of India
Lucknow

Subject Establishment of Primary Health Centre in Mukhonia, District Mainpuri

Sir/Ma’am

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I want to bring the attention of the Health and Family Welfare officials of the State Government of Uttar Pradesh towards the lack of a Primary Health Centre in Mukhonia, a large village in the Western region of Mainpuri District.

Our village has a population of approximately 5000 people and the nearest Health Centre-the Mainpuri District Hospital is very distant; over 30 kms away. Anyone who is suffering from any disease or complication has to go to the district hospital for treatment. The journey to district hospital is very time consuming due to no regular means of public transport being available.

There is no other Health Centre in close proximity of the village. Recently, one person died while travelling to the hospital after being bitten by a snake. Had there been a facility of immediate healthcare nearby, this person’s life could have been saved. Such incidents keep happening from time to time, especially during the monsoon season.

I, therefore, request the authorities to give serious consideration to tjiis request on behalf of all the residents of Mukhonia village and open a Primary Health Centre in our village. Hoping for early redressal.

Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Rohan

Question 6.
A. Rising pollution, fast and competitive lifestyle, lack of nutritious food etc., have caused health
woes for a large section of our population. Providing health care used to be a charitable and ethical activity. Today it has become commercialised, a money spinning business. Write an article on ‘How to provide proper health care to the common man’ in about 150 words. Use the ideas that you may have gathered from MCB Unit 1: Health and Medicine. (8)
Or
B. India is an emerging economy. We are rich in natural resources. Yet a significant proportion of our people is living below poverty line. One cause of this poverty is our rising population. Writg an article on ‘How to keep a check on population’ in about 150 words. (8)
Answer:
A. How to Provide Proper Health Care to the Common Man by XYZ

‘Health is wealth’ is an old proverb. It means that the human population living on this Earth can enjoy life only when its health is perfect. However, rising pollution, fast and competitive lifestyle, lack of nutritious food, etc. have caused health woes for a large section of our population. Providing health care has become a commercialised, money spinning business today. It is no longer a charitable and ethical activity.

Though, commercialisation of health care has benefitted us greatly, the unfortunate part is that a great number of our population cannot afford these facilities. These health care facilities are so expensive that they are way beyond the reach of the common man. Majority of the Indian population is economically weak and thus, cannot afford to pay the expenses of a private hospital. Medical care is a basic necessity; hence, stricter laws rules and regulations need to be implemented to standardise the health practices and services across government and private hospitals.

To provide affordable health care to the common man the government should set-up more primary health centers. At all these centers, medical facilities must be made more accessible, reliable and affordable. Further people must be made aware of wealthy lifestyles, nutritional foods, etc. Healthcare is the right of every citizen. With an efficient healthcare, there is a promise of a healthier tomorrow.

Or

B. How to Keep a Check on Population by XYZ

India, rich in natural resources and emerging as a global economic power, still struggles with a significant proportion of its population living below the poverty line. (A major cause of this persistent poverty is our rapidly rising population). To address this, we must implement comprehensive population control measures.

First, increasing awareness about family planning and providing easy access to contraceptives can help. Government initiatives should focus on educating people about the benefits of smaller families and the economic strain of larger ones. Second, improving women’s education and empowerment is crucial. Educated women tend to have fewer children and contribute more significantly to the economy. Incentives for families who adhere to small family norms can also be effective.

Additionally, better healthcare facilities, including maternal and child health services, will reduce infant mortality rates, thereby lessening the perceived need for larger families. A multifaceted approach involving education, healthcare and incentives is essential to control population growth and alleviate poverty in India.

Section C
Grammar [10 Marks]

Question 7.
Complete the tasks A-C, as described.

A. Fill the blank (i)-(iii) with the appropriate option from those given in brackets. (3)
(i) ……… (Anyone/Everyone/No one) can touch the pitch without being defiled.
Can any man, by just thinking about it, add a cubit (ii) …….. (to/of/in) his stature?
Is that the way a gentleman (iii) ……. (would/should/could) behave?
Answer:
(i) No one
(ii) to
(iii) should

B. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line. Write the incorrect word and the correction against the correct blank number. The first one has been done as an example. (4)

Answer:

C. Do as directed.

(i) Rearrange the following word cluster to make meaningful sentence. (1)
installation/please consider my/of a new/application for/computer system I am a resident of Trilok Apartments at Gandhi Nagar, New Delhi. I would be extremely grateful if you could kindly help me.
Answer:
Please consider my application for installation of a new computer system.

(ii) Report the dialogues to complete the paragraph that follows. (1 + 1)

Charlie : Dear Santa, here is a list of what I want.
Patty : How do you suppose Santa Claus can afford to give away all those toys?
Charlie : Promotion! Don’t kid yourself …….. Everything these days is promotion!
I will bet if the truth were brought about, you will find that he’s being financed by some big Eastern chain!
While making the list of what Charlie wanted from Santa Claus, Patty asked him how …….. (a) ……… all those toys. She said that …….. (b) …… and that it was possible as Santa was being financed by some big Eastern chain.
Answer:
(a) Santa Claus could afford to give away
(b) everything those days was promotion

Section D
Literature Textbook [26 Marks]

Question 8.
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions briefly for ANY TWO extracts of the three given. (4 + 4 = 8)

A. “And looked around like a God, unseeing, into the air,
And slowly turned his head,
And slowly, very slowly, as if thrice a dream,
Proceeded to draw his slow length curving around. (Snake)

(i) Explain the meaning of the expression unseeing, into the air’. (1)
Answer:
The expression ‘unseeing, into the air’ means ‘in a carefree, easy and fearless manner’.

(ii) Where does ‘he’ move to? (1)
Answer:
‘He’ moves to a hole in the wall.

(iii) Which literary device is used in line 1? (1)
Answer:
The literary device used in line 1 is ‘simile’.

(iv) What does ‘his slow length curving around’ mean here? (1)
Answer:
Here, ‘his slow length curving around’ describes the movement of the snake.

B. “I believe it’s ill”, said Louisa Mebbin, loudly in Hindustani, for the benefit of the village headman, who was in ambush in a neighbouring tree.
“Hush!” said Mrs. Packletide, and at that moment the tiger commenced ambling towards its victim.
“Now, now!” urged Miss Mebbin with some excitement; “if he doesn’t touch the goat we needn’t pay for it.’ (Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger)

(i) Which word/phrase in the extract means the same as “waiting to attack by surprise”?
Answer:
The phrase which means the same as ‘waiting to attack by surprise’ is ‘in ambush’.

(ii) Why did Louisa talk loudly in Hindustani?
Answer:
Louisa talked loudly in Hindustani so that the village headman could hear and understand that she and Mrs. Packletide knew that they had given more money for a sick tiger.

(iii) Why was the village headman lying in ambush?
Answer:
The village headman was lying in ambush so that he could help Mrs. Packletide in killing the tiger.

(iv) Where was Louisa Mebbin at this time?
Answer:
Louisa Mebbin was with Mrs. Packletide in the forest where she had accompanied her for tiger hunting.

C. You know not what you do: do hot consent
That Antony speak in his funeral.
Know you how much the people may be moved
By that which he will utter! (Julius Caesar)

(i) Identify the speaker of the given lines. (1)
Answer:
The given lines are spoken by Cassius, a senator and conspirator of Caesar’s assassination.

(ii) Whose’funeral’is being talked about? (1)
Answer:
Caesar’s funeral is being talked about in the given lines.

(iii) Why did the speaker raise this objection? (1)
Answer:
The speaker, Cassius, raises this objection because he fears that Antony, a great friend of Caesar’s, could sway the masses against them for murdering Caesar.

(iv) Give the antonym of the word ‘consent’? (1)
Answer:
The antonym of the word ‘consent’ is ‘dissent’.

Question 9.
Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions in about 30-40 words each. (5x 2 = 10)

(i) “Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay,” Why did the sailors curse the Ancient Mariner for killing the albatross? (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner) (2)
Answer:
The sailors cursed the ancient mariner for killing the albatross that had brought with it a respite to their sufferings, in the mid ocean when they were enveloped by sheets of ice. They held him and his acts responsible for the problems that followed his ruthless act. They also had visions of the spirit of the albatross following them for revenge.

(ii) Describe your impression of both the sisters, Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan. (The Dear Departed) (2)
Answer:
Both the sisters in the play ‘The Dear Departed’ were totally narcissistic and insensitive as they did not pay respect to their supposedly dead father. They were more worried about dividing his property among themselves. They were selfish and greedy and had no compassion or sympathy.

(iii) In the story ‘Virtually True’, Michael said, “That’s what I like about computers. The more futuristic they get, the better you can understand the past.” Explain what he meant. (2)
Answer:
Michael is expressing his enthusiasm for the capabilities of modem technology such as computers, to help him experience and understand historical events and settings in a better way. He is suggesting that as technology advances and becomes more futuristic, it can allow people to have more vivid and realistic experiences that bring the past to life. This could include using virtual reality technology to explore historical sites or playing interactive games that simulate historical events.

(iv) What idea did Patol Babu have while rehearsing? Did the director approve of the idea? (Patol Babu, Film Star) (2)
Answer:
While rehearsing his dialogue and the scene, Patol Babu thought that if he had a newspaper in his hand then the collision would look much more realistic. The director, Baren Mullick, was quite impressed with the thought and he readily agreed.

(v) Explain why was the narrator not in a position to contradict Jenkins? (The Shady Plot) (2)
Answer:
Jenkins was the editor of the magazine for which Hallock wrote. Jenkins kept asking Hallock to write ghost stories. Even though Hallock wanted to write other stuff, he had no choice. Jenkins’ magazine was the only one which printed his stories.

(vi) What is your impression of the postman and the postmaster in the story, (The Letter)? (2) |
Answer:
The postman as well as the postmaster were very rude towards Ali. The postman used to ridicule him and called him mad. They were insensitive and cruel. The postmaster was haughty, arrogant and emotionless. He was ill-tempered and called Ali ‘a pest’.

Question 10.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in about 150 words.

A. There is an old Latin proverb ‘A jealous woman will set a whole house on fire.’ Discuss the evils of jealousy that can be learnt from Saki’s story ‘Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger’ and Stanley Houghton’s drama ‘The Dear Departed’ in about 150 words. (8)
Answer:
In Saki’s ‘Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger’, jealousy drives Mrs. Packletide to orchestrate a tiger hunt solely to outshine her rival, Loona Bimberton. This jealousy leads to a contrived and farcical event, exposing her vanity and pettiness. Similarly, in Stanley Houghton’s ‘The Dear Departed’, jealousy and greed between sisters Mrs. Jordan and Mrs.. Slater over their father Abel Merryweather’s possessions reveal their moral decay.

Their competitive desire for inheritance results in deceit and conflict, further eroding familial bonds. Both stories illustrate how jealousy incites destructive behaviour, undermining relationships and integrity. The proverb ‘A jealous woman will set a whole house on fire’ aptly encapsulates the chaos and moral disintegration caused by envy as portrayed in these narratives.

Through satire and drama, Saki and Houghton expose the evils of jealousy urging readers to recognise and combat this vice to preserve personal and familial harmony.

Or

B. In ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Snake’, how do the narrators’ expressions of
guilt and subsequent reflections on their actions reveal their evolving perceptions of innocence and the natural world, and what does this suggest about their journeys towards redemption and self-awareness? (8)
Answer:
In ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, the mariner’s overwhelming guilt for killing the albatross manifests as physical . and spiritual suffering, symbolising a profound moral transgression against nature. His journey towards redemption begins with his recognition of the natural world’s beauty and interconnectedness, culminating in his spontaneous blessing of the sea creatures. Similarly, in ‘Snake’, the narrator’s guilt for throwing a log at the snake stems from his realisation of having acted against his initial instinct to admire the creature. This act of violence against an innocent being reveals his internal conflict between societal conditioning and innate reverence for nature.

Both narrators’ guilt and reflections indicate a deepening understanding of innocence and the intrinsic value of the natural world. Their paths to self-awareness and redemption are marked by this newfound respect for nature emphasising the moral imperative to harmonise with rather than dominate the natural order.