CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 and Question Papers, Download PDF All SETs

The CBSE Class 10 English Paper 2025 exam was conducted today, February 14, 2025. The exam lasted for 3 hours, conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, with an additional 15 minutes given for reading the question paper. The theory paper allotted for the subject is of 80 marks, with an additional 20 marks for internal assessment.

Here we are providing a detailed analysis of student responses, expert opinions and the difficulty level of the paper including expected good scores, time-consuming section and longest question.

We have shared the CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2025 PDF and answer key to help students check their answers and evaluate their performance. Direct link to download CBSE 10th English Question Paper 2025 to be avialble on this page.

CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025

It is important to understand the CBSE exam pattern 2025 for effective preparation. Here is a quick overview of the CBSE Class 10 English exam pattern 2025:

1. Reading Section (20 Marks)
2. Writing Skills Section (20 Marks)
3. Literature Section (40 Marks)

CBSE Class 10 English Paper 2025: Student Insights and Expert Analysis

Discover what students are saying about today's CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2025. Gain insights into their exam performance, the challenges they encountered, and more.

• As per the initial reviews, the paper was 'Moderate' and 'Balanced' on the positive side but had vague wordings and a few errors on the negative side.
• The writing section was slightly lengthier and felt somewhat tougher than usual to the students, owing to the repetition and ambiguity in the questions. Students found the questions a bit difficult to understand.

Key challenges faced by students in English questions: The creative writing section and long answers contributed to the paper's length.

Types of questions featured in today's English exam: Unseen passages/reading comprehension, long answer type questions from literature, creative writing (information, invitation, report).

Section-wise Class 10 English exam breakdown: Section A was average, Section B was easy, and Section C was thought-provoking.

CBSE Class 10 English Exam Analysis 2025: Students’ Reactions

CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 for (Set - 2) QP Code 2/5/2

The unofficial CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 have been provided in the table below. Do note that answers are being provided only for OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS.

Section A - Reading Skills - Q.1.

Section A - Reading Skills - Q.2.

Section A - Grammar and Creative Writing Skills - Grammar (Q.3)

CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 for (Set - 3) QP Code 2/3/3

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

(i) What does the writer’s use of phrases like ‘in urban regions, kitchen gardens have garnered great acknowledgment’ suggest about kitchen gardening today?
(A) It has reduced inflation.
(B) It is an expensive hobby.
(C) It provides nutritious food.
(D) It does not minimize adverse effects on the environment.

(ii) Complete the following with a suitable explanation. Growing a kitchen garden is cost effective because________________ Paragraph (2)

(iii) Identify two differences between the methods adopted in traditional farming and kitchen gardens.
Paragraph (3)

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CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 for (Set - 3) QP Code 2/6/3

Section A: Reading Skills

Passage 2: Questions & Answers

Section B: Grammar and Writing Skills

Section - C Literature Textbook

6. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for any one of the two given.

 It is from these comrades in the struggle that I learned the true meaning of courage. Time and again, I have seen men and women risk and give up their lives for an idea. I have seen men and women stand up to attacks and torture without breaking, showing a strength and resilience that defies the imagination. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. (Nelson Mandela : A Long Walk to Freedom)

(i) What effect does the experience as described in the lines below have on the speaker?

Ans: "Time and again, I have seen men and women risk their lives for an idea- This experience deeply inspires the speaker, teaching him the true meaning of courage. Witnessing such acts of sacrifice for a cause shapes his understanding of bravery and resilience.

(ii) Select one inference about the idea of courage from the given context:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

(A) being fearless

(B) absence of fear

(C) feeding your fears 

(D) ability to overcome fear

Ans: (D) ability to overcome fear

(iii) Answer in about 40 words, with reference to the extract:

Ans: According to the author, true courage is not about being fearless, but about overcoming fear. This perspective challenges the common misconception that courage means having no fear. Instead, it emphasizes that real bravery lies in conquering fear when it arises.

(iv) Fill in the blank with the correct phrase from the bracket in the context of the given extract:

"Men stood up to torture showing strength and resilience that is impossible to understand."

7. (I am Rapunzel, I have not care; life in a tower is tranquil and rare;
I'll certainly never let down my bright hair !)
Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!
You're always so moody, Amanda!
Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda!
(Amanda)

(i) Complete the following suitably:

Ans: Amanda sulked and became moody because she felt restricted and wished for more freedom. She longed for a life that was not controlled by others.

(ii) What does the girl constantly yearn for? What do you infer about Amanda from the poem?

Ans:The girl constantly yearns for freedom, independence, and a life of peace and quiet, as symbolized by Rapunzel’s life in the tower. From the poem, we can infer that Amanda feels trapped and desires to escape from constant supervision and nagging.

(iii) What kind of picture is painted by the poet through the line, "life in a tower is tranquil and rare"?

Ans:The poet paints a picture of a peaceful, isolated life, away from the chaos and demands of the outside world. The "tower" symbolizes a calm, serene existence, where one can be free from the pressures and responsibilities that society often imposes.

(iv) The tone of the speaker in the exclamation "Stop that sulking at once, Amanda!" is:

Ans: (B) 2 and 3 - aggressive and dominating.

8. Answer any four of the following five questions in about 40-50 words.

(i) What did Buddha say about death and suffering? Explain this with reference to the story 'A Sermon at Benaras'.

Ans: In "A Sermon at Benaras," Buddha teaches that death and suffering are an inevitable part of life. He emphasizes that suffering arises from attachment and desires. Through his sermon, Buddha urges people to accept death and suffering as natural aspects of existence and to seek liberation by overcoming desires and attachments.

(ii) 'Dust of Snow' highlights the poet's positive attitude towards nature. Comment on how Robert Frost presents the power of nature in his poem.

Ans: In "Dust of Snow," Robert Frost presents nature as a powerful force that can uplift the human spirit. The simple act of a crow shaking snow from a branch leads to a change in the poet’s mood, transforming a gloomy day into one of hope and renewal. Frost shows that nature, even in small moments, has the power to bring peace and positivity.

(iii) Faith is like a ray of hope in a distressful situation. Discuss 'A Letter to God' with reference to Lencho's unflinching faith in God.

Ans: In "A Letter to God," Lencho’s unwavering faith in God is evident when he believes that only divine intervention can save his crops from a hailstorm. Despite the loss, he is confident that God will provide. His unshakable faith leads him to write a letter asking for money, showcasing how faith can provide hope, even in distressing times.

(iv) Why was the seagull afraid to fly? Why was the young seagull alone?

Ans:The seagull was afraid to fly because it had never flown before and feared the unknown. It was also afraid of falling. The young seagull was alone because its parents had stopped feeding it, hoping that hunger would encourage it to fly. This isolation and hunger led the seagull to finally take the leap and fly.

9. Answer any two out of the three questions, in about 40-50 words :

(i) "The only way was to get Tricky out of the house for a period." Evaluate why James Herriot had planned this in advance and how did he execute this plan at the surgery.

Ans: James Herriot had planned to get Tricky out of the house because the dog’s excessive eating had become a problem, and Mrs. Pumphrey was overfeeding him. Herriot needed to reduce Tricky’s weight to improve his health. He executed this by having Tricky stay at the surgery for a few days, where he would be fed a controlled diet and get some exercise, away from Mrs. Pumphrey’s indulgence.

(ii) Considering 'The Necklace' as a tale of dissatisfaction and excessive materialism, analyze Matilda's primary flaw.

Ans: Matilda’s primary flaw is her dissatisfaction with her modest life. She craves wealth and luxury, which leads her to borrow a necklace for the ball to fit into the higher society. This desire for materialism ultimately results in her downfall, as she loses the necklace and spends years repaying a debt that could have been avoided if she had been content with what she had.

(iii) According to a popular quote - "Kindness is stronger than iron bars." Anil did not hand the thief over to the police. In what way did Anil's act of wisdom and forgiveness transform Hari Singh?

Ans: Anil's act of wisdom and forgiveness transformed Hari Singh by making him realize the value of kindness over punishment. Instead of turning him over to the police, Anil showed trust and compassion. This act changed Hari Singh's heart, and he decided to abandon his life of theft, inspired by Anil's generosity and kindness.

10. Answer any one of the following questions, in 100-120 words.

(a) Examine the role of Nature in the poems The Dust of Snow and Fog.

In Robert Frost’s The Dust of Snow and Fog, nature plays a central role in influencing the poet's mood and perceptions. In The Dust of Snow, a simple moment in nature—snow falling from a branch—brings a sudden shift in the poet's mood, changing a gloomy day into one of positivity. The crow, a seemingly insignificant part of nature, also brings about this transformation, symbolizing how small moments in nature can bring peace and clarity. In Fog, nature is depicted as a mysterious, almost playful presence. The fog is personified as it "comes on little cat feet," suggesting a quiet, gentle, and peaceful arrival that leads to the mystifying and calming transformation of the environment. Both poems highlight nature’s power to affect human emotions, symbolizing change, reflection, and renewal.

(OR)

(b) The journeys of Anne Frank and Valli teach us the vital lesson that optimism and self-assurance empower women to rise above circumstances and overcome obstacles. Examine the similarities.

Both Anne Frank and Valli embody courage, optimism, and self-assurance in the face of great adversity. In The Diary of Anne Frank, Anne’s optimistic spirit helps her endure the hardships of living in hiding during the Holocaust. Despite the dire circumstances, she remains hopeful about the future, even as she grapples with the loss of her innocence. Similarly, in Madam Rides the Bus, Valli, though young, displays confidence and determination as she embarks on her journey to the town. Despite her limited resources, Valli remains self-assured and independent, showing maturity beyond her years. Both Anne and Valli teach us that with optimism and a strong sense of self, women can rise above their circumstances, face challenges head-on, and emerge stronger.

11. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 100-120 words.

(a) Ebright's journey of becoming a leading scientist conveys a strong message to us. His inquisitiveness and competency drove him to become a great scientist. In what manner does Richard Ebright's perseverance, dedication, and inquisitiveness inspire you to pursue your dreams?

Richard Ebright’s journey to becoming a leading scientist is an inspiring story of curiosity, hard work, and resilience. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and his relentless pursuit of answers, even from a young age, taught him invaluable lessons about perseverance. Ebright’s dedication to his experiments, especially when he was just a child, exemplifies how passion and commitment can lead to success. He did not let failures discourage him but viewed them as opportunities to learn. His story encourages me to stay focused on my goals, remain dedicated, and always ask questions. Ebright’s curiosity and work ethic inspire me to pursue my dreams with persistence, always believing that hard work and dedication can help me overcome any obstacle.

(OR)

(b) It is truly said that a good teacher is the light that helps one cross even the darkest of paths through honing their inherent qualities which enable them to shine bright and strong in life. In what ways does Sulekha's teacher epitomize this saying? How did she become the pillar of support and strength for Sulekha?

Sulekha's teacher in Bholi is a true embodiment of this saying. Despite Sulekha’s speech impairment and low self-esteem, her teacher’s kindness, patience, and encouragement transform her life. The teacher saw potential in Sulekha, helping her gain confidence and develop her inner strength. She never ridiculed Sulekha’s stammering speech and instead nurtured her with compassion, allowing her to blossom. When Sulekha’s family considered marrying her off to an elderly man, her teacher supported her decision to stand up for herself. Her guidance and unwavering support gave Sulekha the courage to reject the proposal and choose her own path. The teacher’s influence, both gentle and strong, enabled Sulekha to overcome her fears and believe in herself.