HBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2026 Answer Key

Haryana Board (HBSE) Class 10 English Question Paper 2026 Answer Key

SECTION – A (Reading Skills)

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
1. Have you ever felt your heart racing, your palms turning clammy, or a sudden chill running down your spine when something startled you?
These are not random quirks of the body; they are part of the carefully wired fear response designed to protect you.
2. When you get scared, your brain and body work in sync to trigger what is commonly known as the fight-or-flight response. This reaction prepares you to either confront the threat or escape from it by releasing adrenaline, increasing your heart rate and sharpening your senses.
3. The first thing that happens when you encounter a frightening situation is the firing of amygdala, the brain’s built-in alarm system. This tiny structure rapidly processes the sight, sound, or sensation of danger and signals the hypothalamus to prepare the body for action. At the same time, the hippocampus compares the situation with past experiences, helping you judge whether the threat is genuine or not.
4. Behind the rapid physical changes are powerful chemicals. The adrenal glands release adrenaline and cortisol, a combination that makes you hyper-alert and temporarily stronger. Adrenaline speeds up your heart rate and reaction times, while cortisol increases blood sugar to provide a quick energy boost.
5. Fear is meant to be an occasional survival tool, not a constant companion. That is why, chronic fear can weaken the immune system, disturb digestion, raise blood pressure, and disrupt sleep. However, practices like deep breathing and regular exercises can calm the nervous system, burn off excess adrenaline and keep stress hormones in check.
Questions : (1 × 10 = 10 Marks)
(i) What is the brain’s built-in alarm system called?
(a) Amygdala
(b) Hypothalamus
(c) Hippocampus
(d) Adrenal
Answer – (a) Amygdala

(ii) Which chemical makes us hyper-alert and temporarily stronger?
(a) Adrenaline
(b) Cortisol
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer – (c) Both (a) and (b)

(iii) Read the following statements and choose the correct option :
1. Chronic fear can weaken our immune system.
2. We should not make fear our constant companion.
Options :
(a) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are false.
(b) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are true.
(c) Statement (1) is true and Statement (2) is false.
(d) Statement (1) is false and Statement (2) is true.
Answer – (b) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are true.

(iv) Which practices can calm our nervous system?
(a) Deep breathing
(b) Regular exercise
(c) Nutritious food
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer – (d) Both (a) and (b)

(v) Which word in para ‘2’ means the same as ‘afraid’ or ‘frightened’?
(a) Scared
(b) Trigger
(c) Sharpen
(d) Confront
Answer – (a) Scared

(vi) What is the meaning of fight-or-flight response?
Answer – It is the body’s automatic reaction that prepares a person either to face a threat or to escape from it.

(vii) What is the function of amygdala?
Answer – The amygdala acts as the brain’s alarm system and quickly detects danger, signalling the body to prepare for action.

(viii) How does adrenaline affect our body?
Answer – Adrenaline increases heart rate, sharpens the senses, and speeds up reaction time.

(ix) How is chronic fear harmful for our body?
Answer – Chronic fear can weaken the immune system, disturb digestion, raise blood pressure, and disrupt sleep.

(x) Which word in para ‘5’ means opposite of ‘enemy’?
Answer – Companion

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
1. Personal hygiene refers to the practices that individuals undertake to maintain cleanliness and promote overall health. It encompasses various habits and routines that contribute to preventing illness, promoting well-being and enhancing social interactions.
2. Good personal hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regular hand washing especially before meals and after using the restroom, significantly reduces the transmission of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing teeth, helps prevent dental cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
3. Practising good hygiene habits supports overall physical health. Bathing or showering daily removes dirt, sweat and excess oils from the skin, preventing skin infections and promoting skin health. Clean clothes and regular laundering reduce the risk of skin irritations and allergic reactions caused by dust mites.
4. Personal hygiene plays a crucial role in social interactions and self-esteem. Maintaining clean hair, skin and clothing enhances one’s appearance and fosters confidence in social and professional settings. This promotes personal comfort and prevents potential embarrassment in social situations.
5. Adopting good hygiene practices can contribute to mental well-being by fostering a sense of self-care and self-respect. Feeling clean and fresh promotes a positive mood and self-image, reducing stress and anxiety related to personal appearance. Educational programmes and community initiatives play a vital role in promoting hygiene awareness and encouraging healthy habits from an early age.
Questions : (1 × 10 = 10 Marks)
(i) What do you mean by ‘personal hygiene’?
Answer – Personal hygiene refers to the practices and habits that help maintain cleanliness and promote overall health.

(ii) How does regular hand washing benefit us?
Answer – Regular hand washing helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases by reducing the transmission of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.

(iii) What are the benefits of bathing daily?
Answer – Daily bathing removes dirt, sweat and excess oils from the skin, prevents skin infections and promotes skin health.

(iv) How do good hygiene practices contribute to mental well-being?
Answer – Good hygiene practices promote a positive mood and self-image, reducing stress and anxiety related to personal appearance.

(v) Which word in para ‘4’ means the same as ‘humiliation’ or ‘awkwardness’?
Answer – Embarrassment

(vi) Proper oral hygiene prevents ……………..
(a) Gum disease
(b) Acne
(c) Bad breath
(d) both (a) and (c)
Answer – (d) both (a) and (c)

(vii) Which thing can reduce the risk of allergic reactions caused by dust mites?
(a) Regular Dieting
(b) Regular Laundering
(c) Regular Exercises
(d) Regular Walking
Answer – (b) Regular Laundering

(viii) Ignoring good hygiene practices can lead to …………….
(a) Physical Health
(b) Mental well-being
(c) Reducing stress related to personal appearance
(d) None of these
Answer – (d) None of these
(Ignoring good hygiene practices can lead to poor physical health, the spread of infectious diseases, increased stress and anxiety, and low self-esteem)

(ix) What message does this passage convey?
(a) Personal hygiene ruins mental health
(b) Personal hygiene reduces our self-esteem
(c) Personal hygiene weakens social interactions
(d) Personal hygiene promotes overall physical and mental health
Answer – (d) Personal hygiene promotes overall physical and mental health

(x) Read the following statements and choose the correct option based on them :
1. Personal hygiene prevents the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Personal hygiene fosters confidence in social settings.
Options :
(a) Statement (1) is true and Statement (2) is false.
(b) Statement (1) is false and Statement (2) is true.
(c) Both Statements are false.
(d) Both Statements are true.
Answer – (d) Both Statements are true.

SECTION – B (Grammar)

3. Attempt any ten sentences from the given items : (1 × 10 = 10 Marks)
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verb :
(i) I …..……. (write) the letter before he arrived.
(a) have written
(b) had written
(c) was writing
(d) am writing
Answer – (b) had written

(ii) I shall wait till you ……..…. (finish) your lunch.
(a) finish
(b) have finished
(c) had finished
(d) finished
Answer – (a) finish

B. Fill in the blanks with the correct articles :
(iii) We go to ………… church every week.
(a) the
(b) No article
(c) a
(d) an
Answer – (b) No article

(iv) Aladdin had ………… wonderful lamp.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) No article
(d) a
Answer – (d) a

C. Identify the sentences with the correct punctuation :
(v) england france and italy formed an alliance
(a) England France and Italy formed an alliance.
(b) England, France and italy formed an alliance.
(c) england, France and Italy formed an alliance.
(d) England, France and Italy formed an alliance.
Answer – (d) England, France and Italy formed an alliance.

(vi) he said to his disciples watch and pray
(a) He said to his disciples, “watch and pray.”
(b) He said to his disciples, “watch and pray”.
(c) He said to his disciples, “watch and pray?”
(d) He said to his disciples, watch and pray.
Answer – (a) He said to his disciples, “watch and pray.”

D. Identify the correct figure of speech in the following :
(vii) The news was a dagger to his heart.
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Pun
Answer – (b) Metaphor

(viii) I am able to fill the river with my tears.
(a) Hyperbole
(b) Oxymoron
(c) Metaphor
(d) Simile
Answer – (a) Hyperbole

E. Identify the sentence written in correct indirect speech :
(ix) She said to him, “I am waiting for my son.”
(a) She told him that she is waiting for my son.
(b) She told him that she was waiting for my son.
(c) She told him that she was waiting for her son.
(d) She asked him that she was waiting for my son.
Answer – (c) She told him that she was waiting for her son.

(x) I said to them, “Have you read the letter?”
(a) I asked them if they have read the letter?
(b) I asked them if they had read the letter.
(c) I advised them to read the letter.
(d) I asked them if you had read the letter.
Answer – (b) I asked them if they had read the letter.

F. Fill in the blanks with correct non-finite form of the verb :
(xi) The speaker is about ………… (begin).
(a) to begin
(b) begin
(c) beginning
(d) having begun
Answer – (a) to begin

(xii) I met a girl ………… (carry) a basket of flowers.
(a) carrying
(b) to carry
(c) carried
(d) having carried
Answer – (a) carrying

SECTION – C (Writing Skills)

4. Attempt any one of the following topics : (5 Marks)
(i) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper highlighting the importance of road safety rules. You are Anand/Moksha, a resident of Mayur Vihar, Delhi.
Answer –

Mayur Vihar
Delhi

24 March 20XX

The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi

Subject : Importance of Road Safety Rules

Sir / Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the public towards the importance of road safety rules. Every day many road accidents occur due to overspeeding, careless driving and violation of traffic rules.
People should always wear helmets and seat belts, obey traffic signals and avoid using mobile phones while driving. Awareness campaigns should be organized to educate people about road safety.
I hope the concerned authorities and the public will take necessary steps to make our roads safer.

Yours sincerely,
Anand

(ii) Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting him to issue character certificate.
Answer –

To
The Principal
ABC Senior Secondary School
Delhi

Subject : Application for issuing Character Certificate

Sir / Madam,
Respectfully, I beg to state that I am a student of Class X in your school. I have passed my examination and need a character certificate for admission to a higher class/school.
Therefore, I request you to kindly issue me a character certificate at the earliest. I shall be grateful to you for this favour.

Thanking you.

Yours obediently,
XYZ
Roll No.
Class X

5. Attempt any one of the following topics : (5 Marks)
(i) The Cultural Club in your school recently conducted a talk on ‘Movies and their Influence on Real Life’ to discuss how movies impact the thinking and life style of public. The talk was addressed to students of Class IX and X. As Reena Khan, Secretary of the Cultural Club, draft a report covering the event for your school’s magazine.
Answer –

(ii) You are living in Agra and have a good knowledge of all the historical places around there. Write a suitable advertisement for a newspaper, offering your services as a tourist guide during the coming summer vacation.
Answer –

SECTION – D (Literature)

6. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
My father, the most adorable father I’ve ever seen, didn’t marry my mother until he was thirty-six and she was twenty-five. My sister Margot was born in Frankfurt in Germany in 1926. I lived in Frankfurt until I was four. My father emigrated to Holland in 1933. My mother, Edith Hollander Frank, went with him to Holland in September while Margot and I were sent to Aachen to stay with my grandmother.
Questions : (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
(i) Who is the narrator of the passage?
Answer – Anne Frank

(ii) In which country was Margot born?
Answer – Germany

(iii) Who was Edith Hollander Frank?
Answer – Edith Hollander Frank was Anne Frank’s mother.

(iv) With whom did the narrator stay at Aachen?
Answer – The narrator stayed with her grandmother.

(v) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘Lovable’ or ‘Darling’?
Answer – Adorable

OR

For the first twenty-four hours, Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far as from my bed as possible. The second night Mijbil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water.
Questions : (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
(i) Name the chapter from which the passage has been taken.
Answer – Mijbil the Otter

(ii) How did Mijbil behave on the first day?
Answer – Mijbil was neither hostile nor friendly; he remained aloof and indifferent.

(iii) How did Mijbil react on the second night?
Answer – He came onto the author’s bed and slept in the crook of his knees.

(iv) What are otters fond of as shown in the passage?
Answer – Otters are very fond of water.

(v) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘disinterested’ or ‘detached’?
Answer – Aloof

7. Attempt any two of the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life? (Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)
Answer – Mandela’s hunger for freedom changed him from a frightened young man into a bold freedom fighter. He realized that the freedom of his people was more important than his personal freedom. Therefore, he devoted his life to the struggle against apartheid and fought for equal rights for all South Africans.

(ii) How did the mother trick the young seagull into flying? (His First Flight)
Answer – The mother seagull took a piece of fish and flew towards the young seagull. When he tried to reach the food, she stopped just out of his reach. Driven by hunger, he dived towards the fish and fell off the ledge. He flapped his wings and successfully flew for the first time.

(iii) What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea? (Tea from Assam)
Answer – According to an Indian legend, a Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Tea plants grew from the place where his eyelids fell. Drinking the leaves of these plants helped people stay awake.

(iv) What do you know about Lomov? (The Proposal)
Answer – Lomov was a rich landowner and a neighbour of Chubukov. He was thirty-five years old and had come to propose marriage to Natalya. He was nervous and suffered from heart palpitations and other health problems. Although he wanted to marry Natalya, he kept quarrelling with her over Oxen Meadows and their dogs.

8. Attempt any one of the following questions : (6 Marks)
(i) Based on the chapter ‘A Letter to God’, justify the following statement :
“Lencho is a man of unwavering faith, rather than someone with a logical approach.”
Answer – Lencho was a simple farmer who had great faith in God. When his crops were destroyed by a hailstorm, he believed that only God could help him. Instead of finding a practical solution, he wrote a letter to God asking for one hundred pesos. When he received only seventy pesos, he did not doubt God. Rather, he believed that the post office employees had stolen the remaining money. This shows that his faith in God was unshakable. Therefore, Lencho was a man of unwavering faith rather than someone with a logical approach.

(ii) Discuss the character-sketch of Valli in your own words. (Madam Rides the Bus)
Answer – Valli was an eight-year-old village girl. She was very curious, intelligent and determined. She had a strong desire to ride a bus and carefully planned her journey by collecting information about the bus route and saving money. She was confident and independent, refusing help from others during the journey. Valli was also mature and responsible for her age. At the same time, she was sensitive and thoughtful, as shown by her sadness on seeing a dead cow on the road. Thus, Valli was a brave, smart and self-reliant girl.

9. Read the following stanza and answer the questions that follow :
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
Questions : (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
(i) Name the poem and its poet.
Answer – poem and its poet.
Answer – Poem : Fire and Ice, Poet : Robert Frost

(ii) What do fire and ice symbolize here?
Answer – Fire symbolizes desire, greed and uncontrolled passions, while ice symbolizes hatred, coldness and indifference.

(iii) What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?
Answer – abaa

(iv) Which poetic device is used in the phrase ‘favour fire’?
Answer – Alliteration (repetition of the ‘f’ sound)

(v) What message does the poet want to convey here?
Answer – The poet wants to convey that uncontrolled human emotions such as desire and hatred can destroy the world and humanity.

OR

Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Questions : (1 × 5 = 5 Marks)
(i) Name the poem and its poet.
Answer – Poem : The Tale of Custard the Dragon, Poet : Ogden Nash

(ii) How are Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard portrayed here?
Answer – They are portrayed as very brave, bold and fearless.

(iii) Who is shown coward in the stanza?
Answer – Custard the dragon is shown as cowardly.

(iv) Which poetic device is used in line ‘3’?
Answer – Simile (as brave as a tiger in a rage)

(v) Which word in the stanza means the same as ‘anger’?
Answer – Rage

10. Attempt any two of the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) What is the theme of the poem ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’?
Answer – The poem highlights the sad and helpless condition of a tiger kept in a zoo. The poet contrasts the tiger’s natural life in the jungle with his restricted life in a cage. Through the tiger’s suffering, the poet conveys that every living creature loves freedom and should be allowed to live in its natural habitat.

(ii) How does the poet react to the condition of the boy in ‘The Ball Poem’?
Answer – The poet watches the boy grieving over the loss of his ball with sympathy and understanding. However, he does not offer him another ball because he wants the boy to learn an important lesson of life. He wants him to realize that loss is inevitable and that one must learn to accept it with courage.

(iii) Why does the poet compare fog to a cat? (Fog)
Answer – The poet compares fog to a cat because both move silently and mysteriously. Just as a cat comes quietly, sits observing its surroundings and then moves away, the fog also arrives silently, covers the city and harbour, and then disappears without making any noise.

(iv) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, leaves and twigs do? (The Trees)
Answer – The trees are inside the poet’s house and are trying to move out into the forest. Their roots work all night to free themselves from the cracks in the veranda floor. The leaves strain towards the glass windows, and the twigs become stiff as they struggle to reach the open air outside.

11. Answer any two of the following questions : (3 × 2 = 6 Marks)
(i) Why is the narrator tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest? (A Triumph of Surgery)
Answer – Dr. Herriot was tempted to keep Tricki as a permanent guest because Mrs. Pumphrey sent eggs, wine and brandy every day for Tricki’s recovery. Since Tricki recovered quickly and did not need these things, Dr. Herriot and his partners enjoyed them. Therefore, Tricki’s stay proved beneficial for the entire staff.

(ii) Why is it difficult to rob a careless person according to the thief boy? (The Thief’s Story)
Answer – According to Hari Singh, a careless person does not notice the loss of money immediately. Even if he discovers the loss later, he does not feel much hurt or worried. Therefore, stealing from such a person gives the thief no pleasure or satisfaction, making it difficult to rob a careless person.

(iii) What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair? (The Making of a Scientist)
Answer – When Ebright did not win any prize at the science fair, he realized that simply collecting and displaying facts was not science. He learned that real science involves conducting experiments, asking questions and finding answers. This lesson motivated him to carry out scientific research and helped him become a successful scientist.

(iv) What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on the earth? (The Book That Saved the Earth)
Answer – Think-Tank made several incorrect guesses about books. First, he thought they were sandwiches and that Earthlings ate them. Then he guessed that they were communication devices. Finally, he concluded that books were meant for eye communication. His foolish guesses created humour and showed his lack of knowledge about Earth.

12. Attempt any one of the following questions : (6 Marks)
(i) How did the loss of the necklace change the life of Matilda and her husband?
Explain your opinion about the cause of their situation. (The Necklace)
Answer – The loss of the necklace completely changed the lives of Matilda and her husband. They borrowed a large amount of money to buy a new necklace in place of the lost one. To repay the debt, they dismissed their servant, shifted to a small house and lived a life of poverty. Matilda did all the household work, while her husband worked day and night. It took them ten years to repay the loans. In the end, they discovered that the original necklace was only an imitation and worth very little.
In my opinion, their suffering was caused mainly by Matilda’s vanity, pride and desire for a luxurious life. If she had been content with what she had or had informed Madame Forestier about the lost necklace, they could have avoided years of hardship.

(ii) Write a detailed summary of the chapter ‘Bholi’ in your own words. (Bholi)
Answer – Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal. She was neglected by her family because of her plain looks, stammering and lack of confidence. Her life changed when she was sent to school. Her kind teacher encouraged her, educated her and helped her gain confidence and self-respect.
Years later, an old and greedy man named Bishamber agreed to marry Bholi but demanded five thousand rupees when he saw the smallpox marks on her face. Bholi refused to marry such a selfish man and boldly rejected him. She decided to remain unmarried and serve her parents instead. The story shows that education gives confidence, self-respect and the courage to fight against social evils like dowry and discrimination.