HBSE Class 10 English Pre-Board Question Paper 2026 Answer Key
SECTION – A (Reading Skill)
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : (10 Marks)
Today we know about each and everything about the world. There is no land or sea that is not known to us. Man has explored every corner of the world, and he knows all the ways and routes from anywhere to everywhere in the world. He can reach from one place to the other as safely, easily and quickly as he likes. He has maps to guide him and the fastest means of transport to carry him.
But for ages, most of the world was unknown to man. To begin with, he lived in caves. Then he came out of caves and started making homes in little corners of forests or behind the hills. He was afraid of wild animals and also of the clouds and the winds. He offered prayers and sacrifices to gods who, he thought, controlled the clouds and the winds. But slowly, through long centuries, men began to explore what lay beyond their caves, hills and forests where they had homes. They went in their boats, first on the rivers and then across the seas. At first, they remained close to the shore, and each new voyager went a little further than the previous one.
To those early travelers, the earth seemed to be a vast, flat world. They feared what would happen if they reached the edge. They believed that if they sailed southward, the sea would become so hot and boiling that life would be impossible. Toward the North, they thought, it must be too cold for anything to live. Till only five hundred years ago, nearly all men believed this. When some Portuguese explorers began to sail southward, their seamen revolted and refused to go further. They believed that the steaming waters of the southern seas would boil them like potatoes.
When some clever men of those days said that the earth was not flat but a ball or sphere, people would laugh at them. How could there be people or trees on the other side of the world? They would say “Would men walk and trees grow upside down? And how could they stay on the other side? Surely they would fall off.”
Questions :
(i) We can travel as we like …………..
(a) safely
(b) easily
(c) quickly
(d) all the above
Answer – (d) all the above
(ii) The modern man can reach anywhere he likes with the help of …………..
(a) maps to guide him
(b) fastest means of transport
(c) both (a) and (b) above
(d) neither (a) nor (b)
Answer – (c) both (a) and (b) above
(iii) After leaving the caves, man started making little homes ………….
(a) in corners of forests
(b) behind the hills
(c) either (a) or (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)
Answer – (c) either (a) or (b)
(iv) Why would people not believe that the earth was not flat but round?
(a) They said that if the earth were round, it would roll away like a ball.
(b) They said that if the earth were round, people and trees on the other side would fall off.
(c) They said that if the earth were round, water would not stay at one place.
(d) They said that if the earth were round, it would look like the sun and the moon.
Answer – (b) They said that if the earth were round, people and trees on the other side would fall off.
(v) What is meant by the word ‘voyager’?
(a) A person who makes sacrifices in order to please gods.
(b) A person who goes about begging from place to place.
(c) A person who wants to explore new lands.
(d) A person making a long journey
Answer – (d) A person making a long journey
(vi) Where did men in ancient times build their homes and why?
Answer – In ancient times, men built their homes in caves, in corners of forests or behind hills because they were afraid of wild animals and natural forces like clouds and winds.
(vii) Why were sacrifices offered to gods?
Answer – Sacrifices were offered to gods because people believed that gods controlled the clouds and the winds.
(viii) What did the early explorers think about the earth?
Answer – Early explorers thought that the earth was vast and flat.
(ix) What did the early sailors think about the northern and southern ‘ends’ of the world?
Answer – Early sailors believed that the southern end of the world was extremely hot and boiling, while the northern end was too cold for life.
(x) Why did the seamen of Portuguese explorers revolt?
Answer – The seamen of Portuguese explorers revolted because they believed that the steaming waters of the southern seas would boil them alive.
2. Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow : (10 Marks)
A wife shared all her husband’s privileges and was his companion and helpmate in his activities. This freedom for women continued even after the Vedic age and it is only when we reach the time of Manu that we find women regarded as chattels, whose place is nowhere but in the home, though even he allows that there they are like goddesses. Where women are honoured, there the gods are pleased. But Manu’s attitude is summed up in the following quotation: ‘A woman’s father protects her in childhood, her husband protects her in youth and her son protects her in old age; she is never fit for independence.
Why women lost their high position is not quite clear, nor why Manu depreciated them; but perhaps one of the reasons may have been the fact that when the Aryans first came to India, it was not essential to be specifically trained in order to take part in sacrifices and religious ceremonies. But later, when years of study in learning the Vedas were required for a priest, women were necessarily excluded because their household duties left them no time to pursue Vedantic studies.
Whatever be the cause, gradually women were deprived of rights and given a status inferior to that of men. However, the Vedic wife was supreme in her household and free to do what she liked. In richer houses, there were separate apartments for ladies where they met and sewed and chatted. A woman could sing and play on the Vina and dance, especially on the festive occasions. Some could also probably read and write. Early marriage was not the practice, and girls could choose their own husbands.
Questions :
(i) What was the position of women in ancient India?
Answer – In ancient India, women enjoyed a high position. They shared their husbands’ privileges and were companions and helpers in their activities.
(ii) What are Manu’s views about women?
Answer – Manu believed that a woman should always be protected by her father, husband or son and that she was never fit for independence.
(iii) What was the position of Vedic wife in her household?
Answer – The Vedic wife was supreme in her household and was free to do what she liked.
(iv) How do you think the position of women changed after the coming of Aryans?
Answer – After the coming of the Aryans, the position of women gradually declined as religious studies became compulsory and women were excluded due to household duties.
(v) What was the attitude towards women in ancient India?
Answer – The attitude towards women in ancient India was respectful and honourable, especially during the Vedic age.
(vi) Which of the following verb tenses is predominantly used in the passage?
(a) Present Tense
(b) Past Tense
(c) Future Tense
(d) Present Perfect Tense
Answer – (b) Past Tense
(vii) Which of the following statements suits appropriately to be the title of the passage?
(a) The Role of women in Vedic Society
(b) The rise and fall of women in Ancient India
(c) Manu’s laws: Impact of women’s Rights
(d) Ancient India: A Patriarchal Society
Answer – (b) The rise and fall of women in Ancient India
(viii) The word ‘Perhaps’ means the same as :
(a) Certain
(b) Equal
(c) Privileges
(d) Probably
Answer – (d) Probably
(ix) The opposite of the word ‘later’ is :
(a) Late
(b) Soon
(c) Early
(d) After
Answer – (c) Early
(x) The synonym of ‘ancient’ is :
(a) Old
(b) New
(c) Recent
(d) Fresh
Answer – (a) Old
SECTION – B (Grammar)
3. Attempt any ten sentences from the given items : (1 × 10 = 10 Marks)
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb :
(i) My servant …………. (paint) the door if you had given him a brush.
Answer – would have painted
(ii) They …………… (leave) the park when we reached there.
Answer – had left
B. Punctuate the following sentences :
(iii) harpreet is a student of khalsa college amritsar
Answer – Harpreet is a student of Khalsa College, Amritsar.
(iv) mahatma gandhi was cremated at rajghat delhi
Answer – Mahatma Gandhi was cremated at Rajghat, Delhi.
C. Fill the blanks with suitable articles wherever necessary :
(v) Keep to ………….. right.
Answer – the
(vi) The more ………….. merrier.
Answer – the
D. Change the following sentences into indirect speech :
(vii) The teacher said to the students, “Stop making a noise.”
Answer – The teacher ordered the students to stop making a noise.
(viii) He said, “Farewell, my friends!”
Answer – He bade farewell to his friends.
E. Fill in the blanks with appropriate modals :
(ix) …………… God grant peace to the departed soul!
Answer – May
(x) ………….. I sit on the chair, please?
Answer – Could / May
F. Combine the following sentences :
(xi) She said something. I did not hear it.
Answer – I did not hear what she said.
(xii) He will pass this year. It is certain.
Answer – It is certain that he will pass this year.
SECTION – C (Writing Skill)
4. You bought some crockery from Saurav Goods Emporium, Rohtak and found them in broken condition. Write a letter to them asking to replace the goods. (5 Marks)
Answer –
House No. 45,
Shastri Nagar,
Rohtak
Date : 15 January 20XX
To
The Manager
Saurav Goods Emporium
Rohtak
Subject : Request for replacement of broken crockery
Sir,
I would like to draw your kind attention to the crockery set purchased from your shop on 10 January 20XX vide bill no. 214. Unfortunately, when the packet was opened at home, two plates and one bowl were found broken. The crockery was packed properly at the shop, so the damage might have occurred earlier.
I am enclosing a copy of the bill for your reference. I request you to kindly replace the broken items at the earliest. I shall be thankful to you for your prompt action.
Thanking you
Yours faithfully
Ravi
5. Write a story on the topic ‘Honesty is the Best Policy’ with the help of the given outline. (5 Marks)
Once a woodcutter… cutting a tree… axe fell into the water… God appeared… golden axe… woodcutter refused… silver axe.. iron axe… God happy… moral
Answer – Once a poor woodcutter lived near a river. One day, while cutting a tree, his axe slipped from his hand and fell into the river. The woodcutter was very sad as he had no other axe.
Suddenly, a god appeared and asked him the reason for his sorrow. The woodcutter told the truth. The god brought a golden axe from the river, but the woodcutter refused it. Then a silver axe was shown, but he again refused. Finally, the god brought out an iron axe, which the woodcutter accepted happily. The god was pleased with his honesty and rewarded him with all three axes.
Moral : Honesty is the best policy
SECTION – D (Literature)
6. The passage given below and answer the questions that follow : (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
In life, every man has twin obligations- obligation to his family, to his parents, to his wife and children, and he has an obligation to his people, his community, his country. In a civil and humane society, each man is able to fulfil those obligations according to his own inclinations and abilities. But in a country like South Africa, it was almost impossible for a man of my birth and colour to fulfil both of those obligations. In South Africa, a man of colour who attempted to live as a human being was punished and isolated.
Questions :
(i) What twin obligations does the writer mention?
Answer – The writer mentions two obligations: one towards his family and the other towards his people, community, and country.
(ii) What can one do in a civil and humane society?
Answer – In a civil and humane society, one can fulfil both personal and social obligations according to one’s abilities and inclinations.
(iii) What was impossible for the blacks in South Africa to do and why?
Answer – It was impossible for the blacks in South Africa to fulfil both obligations because of racial discrimination based on birth and colour.
(iv) How were the blacks treated if they tried to live as human beings?
Answer – They were punished and isolated if they tried to live like human beings.
(v) Find in the passage words that mean :
(a) a written contract or bond
(b) to put apart
Answer – (a) obligation, (b) isolated
OR
The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo stick. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children. Then we did not even care to brush our teeth or wash our mouths properly. And why should we? Who would take the trouble of plucking the mango-leaf for the toothbrush? And why was it necessary at all? The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all!
Questions :
(i) Name the chapter and its author.
Answer – Chapter : The Baker from Goa, Author : Lucio Rodrigues
(ii) How did the baker make his musical entry?
Answer – The baker made his musical entry by banging his specially made bamboo stick on the ground.
(iii) What can the author still recall?
Answer – The author can still recall the typical fragrance of the loaves.
(iv) What did the author and other kids do to look into the baker’s basket?
Answer – The author and other children climbed a bench or the parapet to peep into the basket.
(v) Find from the passage words which mean the same as :
(a) helped
(b) welcome
Answer – (a) supported, (b) greet
7. Answer the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) What type of a person is the conductor in ‘Madam Rides the Bus’?
Answer – The conductor in Madam Rides the Bus is a kind, jovial, and friendly person. He treats the little girl Valli with patience and respect, even when she behaves maturely for her age. His playful nature and gentle behaviour make him an approachable and likeable character.
(ii) How did Siddhartha get the name of the Buddha”?
Answer – Siddhartha got the name of the Buddha, meaning “the Enlightened One,” after attaining enlightenment while meditating under the Bodhi tree. He realised the truths of life, suffering, and liberation, and later spread his teachings, which led to the foundation of Buddhism.
8. ‘The sight of the food maddened him.’ What does this line suggest in reference to ‘His First Flight’? (6 Marks)
Answer – The line “The sight of the food maddened him” suggests the extreme hunger and desperation of the young seagull in the story “His First Flight.” The seagull had been starving for a long time because he was afraid to fly, and his parents had stopped feeding him to force him to overcome his fear. When he saw his mother flying towards him with food, his hunger became uncontrollable. Forgetting his fear of flying, he dived towards the food in excitement. This moment shows that hunger gave him the courage to make his first flight and helped him realise that he could fly. Thus, the line highlights how necessity and instinct pushed the seagull to overcome fear and gain confidence.
9. Attempt the following stanza : (5 Marks)
The true Chameleon is small,
A lizard sort of thing:
He hasn’t any ears at all,
And not a single wing
If there is nothing on the tree.
Tis the chameleon you see.
Questions :
(i) Name the poem and its poet.
Answer – Poem : How to Tell Wild Animals, Poet : Carolyn Wells
(ii) What is the rhyme scheme of the stanza?
Answer – ababcc
(iii) How does a chameleon look like?
Answer – A chameleon looks like a small lizard. It has no ears and no wings.
(iv) Where can you see a chameleon?
Answer – On a tree
(v) Identify the poetic device used in the given extract.
Answer – Irony
OR
Belinda paled, and she cried Help! Help!
But Mustard fled with a terrified yelp,
Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household,
And little mouse Blink strategically mouseholed.
Questions :
(i) Why did Belinda cry for help?
Answer – Belinda cried for help because she saw a pirate entering her house.
(ii) How did Ink behave?
Answer – Ink trickled down to the bottom of the household.
(iii) What did Mustard do when he heard Belinda’s cry?
Answer – Mustard fled away with a terrified yelp.
(iv) Where did the mouse slip away?
Answer – The mouse slipped into a mouse hole.
(v) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer – Poem : The Tale of Custard the Dragon, Poet : Ogden Nash
10. Answer the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) How will the world end in fire and ice? (Fire and Ice)
Answer – The poet says that both fire and ice are destructive. Here fire stands for the heat of desire and ice stands for the hated. He thinks that our violent desires will end the world. If it survives it will be ruined by haters.
(ii) What is the effect of the loss of the ball on the boy? (The Ball Poem)
Answer – The loss of the ball fills the boy with deep grief and sorrow. The ball symbolises his childhood and innocence, and losing it makes him realise that losses are a part of life. This experience teaches him an important lesson about accepting loss and learning to move on without complaint.
11. Answer the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) Why did the thief boy want to become an educated man?
Answer – The thief boy wanted to become an educated man after meeting Anil, who trusted him and treated him kindly despite knowing his background. Anil’s generosity and willingness to teach him inspired the boy to give up stealing and gain self-respect by leading an honest life through education.
(ii) What did Matilda and her husband do when they found the necklace missing?
Answer – When Mathilde and her husband found the necklace missing after the ball, they panicked and searched everywhere, but failed to find it. They then decided to replace it with an identical necklace, borrowing a large sum of money, which forced them to live in poverty for ten years to repay the debt.
12. Give a brief character sketch of Horace Danby. (6 Marks)
Answer – Horace Danby is a fifty-year-old bachelor who appears to be a respectable and honest man in society. In reality, he leads a double life and is a professional thief who commits one carefully planned robbery every year to support his passion for collecting rare and expensive books. He is intelligent, cautious, and methodical, taking great care to avoid leaving fingerprints. However, Horace is also naïve and overly trusting, which becomes his greatest weakness when he is easily deceived by the clever lady in red. He is neither greedy nor violent and shows polite, cultured behaviour, which makes him different from ordinary criminals. His arrest and ironic fate of becoming a prison librarian highlight the contrast between his refined nature and his criminal actions, making him a complex and interesting character.