PRE_FOUNDATION • 2026 • Class 10th

CBSE 10 English Sample Paper Solutions PDF(TAD-2026)

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3 Papers Free Access 2026

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English Paper - I

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English Paper - II

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English Paper - III

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About this Exam

1. Core Exam Structure

The paper is worth 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment (ASL - Assessment of Speaking and Listening). The 3-hour paper is divided into three distinct sections:

Section A: Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Section B: Writing Skills & Grammar (20 Marks)
Section C: Language through Literature (40 Marks)

2. Question Typology (2026 Pattern)

In line with NEP 2020, the 2026 paper emphasizes unseen analysis and inferential thinking:

Competency-Focused Questions (50%): Includes MCQs, objective gaps, and subjective questions based on unseen passages and literary extracts.
Objective Type (20%): Direct grammar questions and factual MCQs from the reading section.
Constructed Response (30%): Short and long-answer questions (100–120 words) that require students to compare characters or themes across different chapters.

3. Sectional Highlights

Section	Focus Areas	Skills Tested
Reading	Discursive & Case-based factual passages.	Interpretation, analysis, and vocabulary.
Grammar	Tenses, Modals, Determiners, Reported Speech.	Accuracy in editing, filling, and transformation.
Writing	Formal Letter (100-120 words) & Analytical Paragraph.	Format, organization, and creative expression.
Literature	First Flight & Footprints Without Feet.	Extrapolation, character analysis, and theme tracing.

4. Marking & Evaluation

Creative Writing: CBSE awards marks separately for Content (2), Organization (2), and Accuracy (1).
Literature: For long answers, the board looks for "extrapolation"—your ability to take a theme from a story and apply it to a new situation.
Grammar: No half-marks are awarded; answers are either correct or incorrect based on the provided key.

5. Key Focus Areas for 2026

Analytical Paragraph: You will likely be asked to interpret a graph, map, or chart in a formal paragraph.
Comparative Questions: The board now frequently asks "integrated" questions where you must compare a character from First Flight with one from Footprints Without Feet.

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