Class 10 English Language & LiteratureImportant Questions for Board Exams 2025-26
40
Total Questions
28
Long Answer
12
Short Answer
A Letter to God (First Flight)
4 questionsWhat did Lencho mean when he said the raindrops were like 'new coins'?
Why did the postmaster decide to send money to Lencho? What does this tell us about him?
How did Lencho react when he counted the money? Was he justified?
What is the central theme of 'A Letter to God'?
Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
4 questionsWhat does Mandela mean by 'twin obligations'?
How does Mandela define courage? Do you agree with his definition?
Describe the change in South Africa that Mandela witnessed during the inauguration.
What, according to Mandela, is the greatest wealth of his country?
Two Stories about Flying
4 questionsHow did the young seagull overcome his fear of flying?
Who do you think helped the pilot in 'Black Aeroplane'? Support your answer.
What is the central theme of 'His First Flight'?
Describe the pilot's experience when he encountered the storm.
From the Diary of Anne Frank
4 questionsWhy did Anne want to keep a diary? Was Kitty a real friend?
What did Anne Frank think about keeping a diary?
How does Anne describe her relationship with her parents?
Why do you think Anne gave names to her diaries?
The Hundred Dresses – I & II
4 questionsWhy did Maddie feel guilty about the way Wanda had been treated?
How did Wanda Petronski show her kindness to Maddie and Peggy?
What is the significance of the title 'The Hundred Dresses'?
Do you think Peggy was a bully? Give reasons.
Glimpses of India
4 questionsWhy does the author associate the figure of the baker with childhood memories?
What makes Coorg unique according to the author?
What is the legend behind the origin of tea in Assam?
How does the author describe the life of people in a tea garden?
Mijbil the Otter
4 questionsWhat games did Mijbil invent for himself? What do they tell us about otters?
How did Maxwell ensure Mijbil's comfort during the flight to England?
Why do you think Gavin Maxwell decided to keep Mijbil as a pet?
Describe the otter's behaviour in the hotel room when first let out of the box.
Madam Rides the Bus
4 questionsHow did Valli save money for the bus ride? What does this tell us about her?
How did the sight of the dead calf affect Valli?
What did Valli see on the road that changed her mood on the return journey?
Describe Valli's first bus ride. What did she experience?
The Sermon at Benares
4 questionsWhy did the Buddha ask Kisa Gotami to bring mustard seeds from a home that had not known death?
What lesson did Kisa Gotami learn from the Buddha?
What is the central message of 'The Sermon at Benares'?
How is sorrow described in the sermon? What is the 'way of peace'?
The Proposal (Play)
4 questionsDescribe the character of Lomov. Is he a suitable match for Natalya?
What were the two main arguments between Lomov and Natalya?
What is the significance of the title 'The Proposal'?
How does Chekhov use humour to make a social comment in 'The Proposal'?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the most important questions in Class 10 English Language & Literature for CBSE board exam?
All 40 questions listed here are selected based on CBSE board exam frequency and marks weightage. Prioritise long-answer (5-mark) questions first — 28 questions here — as they carry the most marks. Short-answer questions (12 here) are next. Together they cover the questions most likely to appear.
Is it enough to study only important questions for CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature?
Practising these 40 important questions gets you to 70–75% marks. For 85%+, also read chapter summaries and attempt at least one full sample paper under timed conditions. Use these important questions as your minimum baseline, not your ceiling.
How should I write answers in CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature board exam?
For 1-mark questions: one direct sentence — no elaboration needed. For 3-mark questions: 3 clearly numbered points, each 1–2 lines. For 5-mark questions: brief intro + 4–5 numbered points with subject-specific keywords + 1-line conclusion. CBSE examiners look for keywords in marking schemes — structure your answers around them.
How many questions come from each chapter in Class 10 English Language & Literature CBSE board exam?
CBSE doesn't publish a fixed chapter-wise distribution, but chapters with more important questions listed here have historically appeared more frequently in board papers. Focus extra time on chapters with 5 or more questions — those chapters consistently carry high marks.