English Medium
Hindi Medium
Academic Year: 2025-2026
Date & Time: 21st February 2026, 10:30 am
Duration: 3h
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General Instructions:
Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
- The question paper is divided into four sections - A, B, C and D.
- Section A - Reading Skills (22 marks)
- Section B - Writing Skills (22 marks)
- Section C - Grammar (10 marks)
- Section D - Literature Textbook (26 marks)
- There are 12 questions in the question paper. All questions are compulsory.
- Answers should be brief and to the point.
- You may attempt any section at a time.
- All questions of that particular section must be attempted in the correct order.
- Instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Read the following passage carefully:
| (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:
- Which one of the following is a health benefit of participating in sports, as stated in paragraph 1? [1]
- promotes more screen time
- reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes
- improves hearing abilities
- worsens sleeping patterns.
- What underlying mechanism makes sports more effective than binge-watching or overeating for coping with emotional stress? [1]
- activation of social bonding neuropeptides.
- enhanced serotonin and natural chemical release in the brain.
- increased caloric expenditure leading to mental clarity.
- diversion of attention through physical exhaustion.
Paragraph (2)
- Complete the following suitably: [1]
Modern lifestyles lead to weight gain because ______. - Rectify the given false statement. [1]
Playing a sport and consuming a lot of convenience food balances weight gain and reduces body fat. [1] - How does physical exertion affect body temperature and sleep quality? [1] Paragraph (4)
- In what way are gym sessions different from sports activities? [1] Paragraph (5)
- Mention one way in which playing a sport helps in emotional development. [2] Paragraph (6)
- List one way in which playing a sport reduces the risk of falling. [2]
- How does belonging to a team or community act as a positive feedback loop for continued engagement in physical activity? [2]
Chapter:
Read the following passage carefully:
| (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:
- Complete with a suitable reason. [1]
Eco-tourism is considered a responsible way of travelling because ______. - Fill in the blank with an appropriate word/phrase.
Costa Rica has ______ large expanses of land into national parks to preserve the areas. [1] - Eco-tourism offers an opportunity to the local people to preserve their heritage by: [1]
- converting parks into national reserves.
- selling handmade handicrafts as souvenirs.
- using modern technology to present their culture.
- improving their infrastructure.
- Which of the following is/are economic benefit(s) of eco-tourism for local communities? (Paragraph 3) [1]
- 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.- Only 1
- 2 and 6
- 3 and 5
- 2 and 5
- List any two challenges faced by eco-tourism. [2]
- How can eco-tourism be truly effective? [1]
- What ecological issues can result from too many tourists visiting eco-tourism sites? [1]
- reduced carbon emissions and habitat restoration
- innovation and improved infrastructure
- erosion, habitat disruption and pollution
- cultural revival and increased bio-diversity
- What, according to the passage, are some of the well-managed practices that can lead to effective eco-tourism? Paragraph (6) [2]
Chapter:
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.
Chapter:
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.
Chapter:
Answer in 120 words:
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.
Chapter:
Answer in 120 words:
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/Aaray 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.
Chapter:
Answer in 150 words:
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 policy makers 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.
|
Chapter:
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Answer in 150 words:
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.
|
Chapter:
Fill in the blanks (i) - (iii) with the appropriate option from those given in the brackets.
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.
Chapter:
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.
| S. No. | Text | Word before | Omission | 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 |
Chapter:
Rearrange the following jumbled words/phrases in the given dialogue to create a meaningful sentence.
| 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 |
Chapter:
Report the conversation given below by filling in the blanks to complete the following paragraph:
| 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 ______.
Chapter:
Read the given extract and answer the questions briefly.
|
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) |
- On what kind of night did the event take place? [1]
- 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]
- Where was the platform constructed? [1]
- Which word in the passage is closest in meaning to the following phrase?
A person or animal being hunted or looked for. [1]
Chapter:
Read the given extract and answer the questions briefly.
|
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) |
- How did the poet feel about the snake’s visit? [1]
- Where did the snake depart after drinking at the water-trough? [1]
- What action is suggested to the narrator on how to deal with the snake? [1]
- What did the poet compare the snake’s visit to? [1]
Chapter:
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Read the given extract and answer the questions briefly.
| 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.) |
- Why does Mrs. Slater want to bring the bureau down? [1]
- How does Henry react to Mrs. Slater’s suggestion? [1]
- What piece of furniture does Mrs. Slater want to move upstairs? [1]
- To whom does Mrs. Slater think the old chest of drawers can be given? [1]
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
Why did the narrator feel deeply moved by the boy’s devotion?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
What role did the Ouija board play in the story?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
Why did the nightingale lose her natural charm in singing?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
How did Patol Babu’s attitude change after rehearsing his scene?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
How does the poem highlight the theme of transience of glory and power?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in 30-40 words:
Why was Sebastian Shultz in a coma and how was it connected to the computer games?
Chapter:
Answer the following question in about 150 words:
Analyse how the two texts: ‘Julius Caesar’ and ‘Patol Babu, Film Star’ explore the idea of personal ambition.
Chapter:
Answer the following question in about 150 words:
Compare the role of patience and endurance in “The Letter” and “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”.
Chapter:
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