CBSE Class 10 English 2025 — Set 1

Questions in this 2025 English paper (Set 1)

All 45 questions from this set, exactly as asked. Try each one, then open the question-paper PDF above for the complete paper.

1. 1.
   What is the tone of the writer in the given lines? Rationalise your response in about 40 words. "Saffron is being used since ages in various foods made for the royals and the elite as it contains medicinal properties."
2. 2.
   Which of the following statements best describes the comparison made in the sentence? "Just like gold is among the most valuable metals in the world, saffron means the same in the world of spices."

   • (a) Gold and saffron have similar physical properties.
   • (b) Gold and saffron have equal monetary value.
   • (c) Saffron is considered the most valuable spice, similar to how gold is valued among metals…
3. 3.
   List any two points why saffron is revered across the globe. (Paragraphs 2 and 3)
4. 4.
   In the phrase 'backbone of several iconic dishes', the word 'iconic' refers to __________.

   • (a) delicately cooked
   • (b) widely recognized
   • (c) peculiar and rare
   • (d) strange and infamous
5. 5.
   Complete the sentence appropriately: Saffron has a labour-intensive cultivation process which involves __________. (Paragraph 4)
6. 6.
   State whether the following statement is True or False: According to historians, saffron was first used in the kitchens in Iran. (Paragraph 5)
7. 7.
   Which of the following statements best describes the reason for saffron's high retail value?

   • (a) Due to its magical or mystical properties.
   • (b) Because it can only be grown in specific regions.
   • (c) Due to its labour-intensive cultivation process and its relatively low yield per plant.
   • (d) Because traders, conquerors, and world explorers hoard it.
8. 8.
   Support the writer's view with evidence from the text that saffron is often adulterated. (Paragraph 7)
9. 9.
   What does the phrase 'luxurious qualities' in paragraph (2) tell you about the silk fabric? Write in 40 words with evidence from the text.
10. 10.
    Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below. Assertion: Silk production requires careful selection. Reason: Long and uniform silk fibres give silk a glossy appearance.

    • (a) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
    • (b) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation…
11. 11.
    Justify the following statement: Silk whispers luxury! Its price reflects not just its rarity but the value of the meticulous process behind its creation.
12. 12.
    According to the passage, mention the top two countries that produce silk.
13. 13.
    "Factors like climate, availability of quality mulberry leaves and time required by silkworms to complete their lifecycle are important factors for the production of silk." State any one inference that can be drawn from this.
14. 14.
    Complete the following with a suitable reason from the text: Though silk is considered one of the strongest fibres, it is __________.
15. 15.
    Based on the given text, mention the states which produced the most and the least amount of raw silk in India in the year 2021.
16. 16.
    Complete the sentence suitably: 104 kgs of mulberry leaves eaten by 3000 silkworms results in __________.
17. 17.
    With reference to the given passage, give one reason why silk production is considered labour-intensive.
18. 18.
    Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the brackets, for the given portion of a letter: "Thank you for __________ (consider) my application. I look forward to working in your organization."
19. 19.
    Read the given sentence. Identify the error and supply the correction: Ninety-seven percent of the Earth's water is salty ocean water and another two percent is trapping in the Earth's ice caps and glaciers.
20. 20.
    Yukti and Sanjay had a conversation about going to a restaurant. Report Yukti's question: "Does this restaurant serve good South Indian food?"
21. 21.
    Read the dialogue between Amit and his sister Ananya, regarding her travel to the railway station. Amit: Are you sure you can manage to go to the railway station on your own? Ananya: Oh yes! I have already booked a cab. Select the correct option to report the above dialogue. Amit asked Ananya __________, to go to the railway station on her own. Ananya replied in the affirmative and said that she…
22. 22.
    Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the sentence taken from a book about 'Birds': Each year, thousands of birds __________ (migrate/immigrate/emigrate) southwards to avoid the harsh winter, embarking on an incredible journey that spans thousands of miles.

    • (a) migrate
    • (b) immigrate
    • (c) emigrate
    • (d) migrated
23. 23.
    Identify and correct the error in the given line taken from an agency's advertisement: Tell us much about your project and we'll select suitable candidates for you to hire.
24. 24.
    Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line taken from an article about growing obesity: Obesity in teenage children is a major concern between parents today.

    • (a) Error: teenage, Correction: teenagers
    • (b) Error: concern, Correction: concerns
    • (c) Error: between, Correction: among
    • (d) Error: today, Correction: now
25. 25.
    Complete the given narrative with the correct option to fill in the blank: Yesterday, Tanu walked to the park and __________ a breezy evening.

    • (a) to enjoying
    • (b) will enjoy
    • (c) enjoyed
    • (d) did enjoyed
26. 26.
    Report the dialogue between two friends by completing the sentence. Bhawna: I finished the project yesterday. Sohail: That's great! Are you going to present it tomorrow? Bhawna told Sohail that __________. Sohail responded that it was great and asked if she were going to present it the next day.
27. 27.
    Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the notice on a school notice board: We are pleased to announce that our Annual Sports Day __________ on 30th April, 2025 at the school playground from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    • (a) is held
    • (b) will be held
    • (c) had been held
    • (d) to be held
28. 28.
    Complete the slogan on "Save Earth", by filling in the blank with the correct option: Lets join hands, cultivate conservation, and __________ a greener tomorrow for generations to come.

    • (a) ensuring
    • (b) ensure
    • (c) ensures
    • (d) ensured
29. 29.
    Identify the error and supply the correction for the following note in an air purifier's instruction manual: The plug should fit upto the outlet. If it doesn't fit, do not force it in.
30. 30.
    (Q4 — Attempt any ONE)

    • (a) You are Soumya Hansal / Sumit Hansal living at F-32, Shanti Nagar, Vayugarh. Seeing the inadequate healthcare infrastructure in your town, write a letter to the MLA of your area, in about 120 words, suggesting the need for improving existing healthcare facilities and creating more "Wellness Centres" including a specialized hospital for children and women. OR
    • (b) You…
31. 31.
    (Q5 — Attempt any ONE) (a) In the past few years, the teaching-learning process has taken a leap and gone beyond the four walls of the classroom. Today, it has become possible to learn not just by sitting in a physical classroom, but from anywhere. Given below is a chart depicting the differences between E-learning and Classroom learning. Write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words…
32. 32 (a).
    (Q6a) Why were there no leaves left on the trees?

    • (a) The locusts ate them up.
    • (b) An earthquake had occurred.
    • (c) There was a hailstorm.
    • (d) The animals grazed on them.
33. 32 (b).
    (Q6a) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets: Lencho felt __________ (jubilant/devastated) when he saw his destroyed corn fields.
34. 32 (c).
    (Q6a) When Lencho says, "All our work, for nothing," what does he refer to? Explain in about 40 words.
35. 32 (d).
    (Q6a) Why would Lencho have preferred a plague of locusts to a hailstorm?
36. 33 (a).
    (Q6b) What does the following line tell us about the character of Anil? "I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind."
37. 33 (b).
    (Q6b) Which of the following best describes the realization Hari Singh had while working for Anil?

    • (a) that he would become a rich person one day
    • (b) that Anil was a very intelligent master but a miser
    • (c) that he would be able to accomplish a lot if he gets educated
    • (d) that Anil made a lot of money from his job
38. 33 (c).
    (Q6b) What did Anil promise to teach Hari Singh, and how did Hari Singh feel about the opportunity to learn? Answer in about 40 words.
39. 33 (d).
    (Q6b) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets: The narrator earned extra money by making a/an __________ (profit/investment) of about a rupee a day.
40. 34 (a).
    (Q7a) Complete the sentence appropriately: The speaker addresses the person he is speaking to as "my dear" because __________.
41. 34 (b).
    (Q7a) The poet mentions "yellow hair". What is its significance in the context of the statement? Answer in about 40 words.
42. 34 (c).
    (Q7a) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets: The poet suggests that God's love in comparison to that of a human being is __________ (selfish/selfless).
43. 34 (d).
    (Q7a) As per the above extract, what attributes does God not love a person for? Select the correct option. 1. Wealth 2. Physical appearance 3. Intelligence 4. Inner qualities 5. Youth

    • (a) 1 and 4
    • (b) 3, 4, and 5
    • (c) 2 and 4
    • (d) Only 4
44. 35 (b).
    (Q7b) Fill in the blank with one word: The tiger's stalking on 'pads of velvet' suggests a movement that is __________.
45. 35 (c).
    (Q7b) Based on the given lines from the poem, which words would best describe the feelings of the tiger?

    • (a) Calm and content
    • (b) Both subdued and angry
    • (c) Both frustrated and happy
    • (d) Both angry and famished
46. 35 (d).
    (Q7b) Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the first four lines of the given extract.

    • (a) The people along the sand / All turn and look one way / They turn their back on the land / They look at the sea all day
    • (b) Along the sand, the people / All turn and look one way / They turn back on the sand / They look at the sea all day
    • (c) The people along the sand / Look one way and…
47. 36.
    (Q8 — Answer any FOUR) (i) Mandela in his speech says, "The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people." Explain the significance of the word "wound" as used by Mandela. (Nelson Mandela — Long Walk to Freedom)
48. 37.
    (Q8) (ii) 'Dust of Snow', by Robert Frost is a poem about nature and simplicity. Elaborate. (Dust of Snow)
49. 38.
    (Q8) (iii) Explain the reasons for Rajvir's excitement on seeing the plantation and Pranjol's lack of enthusiasm. (Glimpses of India — Tea from Assam)
50. 39.
    (Q8) (iv) Analyze how Wells employs humour, rhyme, and exaggerated traits to not only entertain, but also educate readers about various wild animals. Explain. (How to Tell Wild Animals)
51. 40.
    (Q8) (v) Mijbil's transportation to England was no less than a nightmare for the author. Justify the statement using incidents from the lesson. (Mijbil the Otter)
52. 41.
    (Q9 — Answer any TWO) (i) Analyze how Herriot uses Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey's relationship to comment on societal attitudes towards pets and the responsibilities associated with their care. (A Triumph of Surgery)
53. 42.
    (Q9) (ii) Today reading books is on the decline because of the prevalence of electronic media. Contrarily, earth is saved by a 'Book' in the chapter "The Book That Saved the Earth". Elaborate.
54. 43.
    (Q9) (iii) Discuss the character development of Griffin, as he grapples with the repercussions of his actions and attempts to navigate a world, where his once extraordinary abilities have become a burden. (Footprints without Feet)
55. 44.
    (Q10 — Answer any ONE)

    • (a) Amanda and Valli both represent a longing for freedom. Examine the above observation with reference to the two texts. (Amanda and Madam Rides the Bus) OR
    • (b) In 'The Ball Poem', Berryman explores the themes of loss, growing up, and transformation. Mandela also experienced loss of freedom and suffering along with his countrymen during his growing years on the basis of…
56. 45.
    (Q11 — Answer any ONE)

    • (a) Horace ends up in prison only to regret that a man should not trust anyone blindly without finding out the truth. Do you think his own foolishness was responsible for his arrest? Give a reasoned answer. (A Question of Trust) OR
    • (b) Matilda's character embodies the journey of change or progression throughout the story, encapsulating the transformations she endured as a…

Prepare with

How to use these papers

1. 1Start chapter-wise early in the year — solve only the English questions from a chapter you have just finished.
2. 2Switch to full timed papers 2–3 months before the exam: one complete set in the real time limit, no notes.
3. 3Self-mark against the marking scheme, then fix every mistake with our free NCERT solutions.
4. 4Re-attempt your weakest chapters until the recurring question types feel routine.

CBSE Class 10 English 2025 paper — FAQ