PRE_FOUNDATION • 2026
• Class 10th
CBSE 10 English Sample Paper Solutions PDF(TAD-2026)
Question Papers & Answer Keys — Download or View Online
3 Papers
Free Access
2026
Available Shift Papers & Solutions
3 ResourcesEnglish Paper - I
Shift: Set-A
English Paper - II
Shift: Set-A
English Paper - III
Shift: Set-A
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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