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CBSE Board Class 10 English Question Paper 2025 Set 1 (2-1-1) Available- Download Solution PDF with Answer Key

| Updated On - Sep 12, 2025

The CBSE 2025 Class 10 English exam was held on 10th March, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2025 is available here with Solution PDF.

The English theory paper is of 80 marks, while 20 marks are allocated for the internal assessment. The paper covers topics such as Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills, Literature, and Grammar.

CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2025 Set 1(2-1-1) with Solution PDF

CBSE Board Class 10 English Question Paper	Download PDF	Check Solution

Question 1:
Read the following passage carefully :

(1) Saffron is a spice that's long been revered across the globe,captivating hearts and palates with its deep-red hue and complex flavour. It is one of the most prized spices that you can find on this planet. Just like gold is among the most valuable metals in the world,saffron means the same in the world of spices. Also known as 'kesar' in Hindi, it has a rich history and is often called an ancient spice.Saffron is being used since ages in various foods made for the royals and the elite as it contains medicinal properties.
(2) Originating from the delicate stigma of the saffron crocus flower, it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, infusing dishes with a subtle, earthy sweetness that adds a special taste to the palate.Saffron has a strong exotic aroma and a unique flavour and is used to colour and flavour many Mediterranean and Asian dishes, particularly rice, fish and English, Scandinavian, and Balkan breads.
(3) Saffron forms the backbone of several iconic dishes from around the world, such as the Spanish rice, seafood dish Paella, the French stew Bouillabaisse, Italian rice dish Risotto Milanese, the Indian ice cream Kesar Kulfi, Pakistani rice dish Biryani, and baked Iranian rice Tachin. Saffron's rich red colour is attributed to crocin; its bitter taste, to picrocrocin; and its distinctive aroma, to safranal.
(4) Saffron is cultivated chiefly in Iran but is also grown in Spain,France, Italy, and parts of India. A labour-intensive crop, the three stigmas are handpicked from each flower, spread on trays, and dried over charcoal fires for use as a food flavouring and colouring agent.
(5) Most historians speculate it was first domesticated in Iran, but south-western Greek islands remain strong contenders. Traders,conquerors, and world explorers introduced it to China, India and the Middle East. From there, it travelled to Mediterranean Europe.
(6) The high retail value of saffron is maintained in world markets because of labour-intensive harvesting methods, which require some 444,000 hand-picked saffron stigmas per kilogram - equivalently,150,000 crocus flowers per kilogram. Forty hours of labour are needed to pick 150,000 flowers. Almost all saffron grows in a belt from Spain in the west to India in the east. Iran is responsible for around 88% of global production. Afghanistan comes second, and Spain is the third largest producer, while the United Arab Emirates, Greece, the Indian subcontinent and Morocco are among minor producers.

Question 1:

i. What is the tone of the writer in the given lines?

Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
“Saffron is being used since ages in various foods made for the royals and the elite as it contains medicinal properties.”

View Solution

The article adopts a positive and informative tone, highlighting the numerous benefits of owning a dog for young adults. It provides practical insights and encouragement, making it both engaging and educational.

Question 1:

ii. Which of the following statements best describes the comparison made in the sentence?
“Just like gold is among the most valuable metals in the world, saffron means the same in the world of spices.”

(A) Gold and saffron have similar physical properties.
(B) Gold and saffron have equal monetary value.
(C) Saffron is considered the most valuable spice, similar to how gold is valued among metals.
(D) Gold and saffron are both rare commodities in the global market.

View Solution

Employee expenses are day-to-day operational costs and are classified under Operating Activities. The other options are either incorrect classification or state “outflow” where “inflow” applies.

Question 1:

iii. List any two points why saffron is revered across the globe.

Question 1:

iv. Fill in the blank from the given options:
In the phrase ‘backbone of several iconic dishes’, the word ‘iconic’ refers to ________.

(A) delicately cooked
(B) widely recognized
(C) peculiar and rare
(D) strange and infamous

Correct Answer: (B) widely recognized

Question 1:

v. Complete the sentence appropriately:
Saffron has a labour-intensive cultivation process which involves ________.

View Solution

Hana was attired in a dark-blue woollen haori over her kimono.

Question 1:

vi. State whether the following statement is True or False:
According to historians, saffron was first used in the kitchens in Iran.

View Solution

The phrase "Flower of Cities" refers to the wealth and prosperity of urban areas, not gardens. The poet critiques how urban prosperity often comes at the cost of neglecting rural areas. \n

Question 1:

vii. Which of the following statements best describes the reason for saffron’s high retail value?

(A) Due to its magical or mystical properties.
(B) Because it can only be grown in specific regions.
(C) Due to its labour-intensive cultivation process and its relatively low yield per plant.
(D) Because traders, conquerors, and world explorers hoard it.

View Solution

\nEmployee expenses are day-to-day operational costs and are classified under Operating Activities. The other options are either incorrect classification or state “outflow” where “inflow” applies.

Question 1:

viii. Support the writer’s view with evidence from the text that saffron is often adulterated.

Question 2:

Read the following passage carefully :

(1) Silk is a natural protein fibre, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. Silk has a long history in India. It is known as Resham in eastern and northern India, and Pattu in the southern parts of India. India is the second largest producer of silk in the world after China.
(2) Silk is renowned for its luxurious qualities with a natural soft and smooth texture that feels comfortable on the skin. One of its unique qualities is to absorb and release moisture, regulating the body temperature, and keeping the wearer cool and dry.
(3) Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres, but it loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. Its elasticity is moderate to poor: if elongated even a small amount, it remains stretched. It can be weakened if exposed to too much sunlight. It may also be attacked by insects, especially if left dirty.
(4) The process of silk production is known as sericulture. Silk is produced by several insects; but, generally, only the silk of moth caterpillars has been used for textile manufacturing. To produce 1 kg of silk, 104 kg of mulberry leaves must be eaten by 3000 silkworms.

Question 2:

i. What does the phrase ‘luxurious qualities’ in paragraph (2) tell you about the silk fabric? Write in 40 words with evidence from the text.

Question 2:

ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below:

Assertion: Silk production requires careful selection.
Reason: Long and uniform silk fibres give silk a glossy appearance.

(A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and the reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

Correct Answer: (A) Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Question 2:

iii. Complete the following with a suitable reason from the text:
Though silk is considered one of the strongest fibres, it is ______.

View Solution

The acidity of benzoic acid derivatives depends on the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating nature of the substituent at the para position: \n- Electron-withdrawing groups (like \( NO_2 \)) increase acidity by stabilizing the conjugate base through delocalization. \n- Electron-donating groups (like \( OH \) or \( CH_3 \)) decrease acidity by increasing electron density on the carboxyl group. \nSince \( p\)-NO\(_2\) is a strong electron-withdrawing group, it stabilizes the conjugate base, making benzoic acid more acidic. \n\n

Complete any ten of the following twelve tasks, as directed.

Question 3:

(i) Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the brackets, for the given portion of a letter.
“Thank you for ________ (consider) my application. I look forward to working in your organization.”

View Solution

(i) he refused permission to the British officer to hunt tigers, risking royal displeasure
(ii) "But the Maharaja was firm in his resolve."
(iii) (B) that the British officer cannot go on a tiger hunt in his kingdom
(iv) Determined or courageous or assertive or firm (any one valid trait)

Question 3:

(ii) Read the given sentence. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence.
Ninty-seven percent of the Earth’s water is salty ocean water and another two percent is trapping in the Earth’s ice caps and glaciers.

Error Correction
is trapping is trapped

View Solution

The correct answer is: \(\frac{12}{13}\)
Let \(E_1\)=the examiee knows the answer, \(E_2\)=the examinee guesses the answer and A=the examinee answers correctly
Now \(P(E_1)=\frac{3}{4},P(E_2)=\frac{1}{4},\)
Since \(E_1\) and \(E_2\) are mutually exclusive events and exhaustive events, and if \(E_2\) has already occurred, then the examinee guesses,
Therefore the probability that he answers correctly given that he has made a guess is \(\frac{1}{4}\) i.e., \(P(A|E_2)=\frac{1}{4}\)
And \(P(A|E_2)\)=P(answers correctly given that he knew the answer)=1
Therefore,by Bayes' theorem,
\(P(E_1|A)=\frac{P(E_1)P(A|E_1)}{P(E_1)P(A|E_1)+P(E_2)P(A|E_2)}\)
\(=\frac{\frac{3}{4}.1}{\frac{3}{4}.1+\frac{1}{4}.\frac{1}{4}}\)
\(=\frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{16}}\)
\(=\frac{\frac{3}{4}}{\frac{13}{16}}\)
\(=\frac{12}{13}\)

Question 3:

(iii) Yukti and Sanjay had a conversation about going to a restaurant. Report Yukti’s question.

“Does this restaurant serve good South Indian food?”

View Solution

Question 3:

(iv) Read the dialogue between Amit and his sister Ananya, regarding her travel to the railway station.
Amit: Are you sure you can manage to go to the railway station on your own?
Ananya: Oh yes! I have already booked a cab.
Select the correct option to report the above dialogue.
Amit asked Ananya to go to the railway station on her own. Ananya replied in the affirmative and said that she had already booked a cab.

(A) if she is sure she can manage
(B) if she was sure she could manage
(C) if she surely can manage
(D) if she was sure to managing

View Solution

Traditional Art and Craft Forms

\n
Warli - Maharashtra:
\n Warli is a tribal art form from Maharashtra. It is characterized by its simple style and its depiction of scenes from daily life.\n
\n
Channapatna Dolls - Kerala:
\n Channapatna dolls are a traditional toy made in the Channapatna region of Karnataka, not Kerala.\n
\n
Shola Craft - Gujarat:
\n Shola craft is a traditional craft from West Bengal, not Gujarat, made from the shola pith.\n
\n
Bamboo Craft - Punjab:
\n Bamboo craft is made in many parts of India, but Punjab is not the region where it is traditionally practiced. The state of Andhra Pradesh is known for its bamboo work.\n
\n

Question 3:

(v) Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the sentence taken from a book about ‘Birds’.
Each year, thousands of birds (migrate/immigrate/emigrate) southwards to avoid the harsh winter, embarking on an incredible journey that spans thousands of miles.

Correct Answer: migrate

Question 3:

(vi) Identify and correct the error in the given line taken from an agency’s advertisement. Tell us much about your project and we’ll select suitable candidates for you to hire. Use the given format for your response.

View Solution

Question 3:

(vii) Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction for the following line taken from an article about growing obesity.
Obesity in teenage children is a major concern between parents today.

Option No Error Correction

(A) teenage teenagers
(B) concern concerns
(C) between among
(D) today now

Correct Answer: (C) between → among

Question 3:

(viii) Complete the given narrative with the correct option to fill in the blank.
Yesterday, Tanu walked to the park and _____________ a breezy evening.

(A) to enjoying
(B) will enjoy
(C) enjoyed
(D) did enjoyed

Correct Answer: (C) enjoyed

Question 4:

Note : All details presented in the questions in writing section are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.

Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below :

(a) You are Soumya Hansal / Sumit Hansal living at F-32, Shanti Nagar, Vayugarh. Seeing the inadequate healthcare infrastructure in your town, write a letter to the MLA of your area, in about 120 words, suggesting the need for improving existing healthcare facilities and creating more “Wellness Centres” including a specialized hospital for children and women.

View Solution

Question 4:

(b) You are Risha Khan / Zuhaan Khan, the sports captain of Highrise Public School, New Line, Rai Nagar. You believe that games and sports are an integral part of a student’s life. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, in about 120 words, sharing your views on the importance of physical education and suggesting the need to establish a dedicated sports university, so that students can pursue and focus on their favourite sport.

View Solution

Question 5:

Attempt any one from (a) and (b) given below :

(a) In the past few years, the teaching-learning process has taken a leap and gone beyond the four walls of the classroom. Today, it has become possible to learn not just by sitting in a physical classroom, but from anywhere. Given below is a chart depicting the differences between E-learning and Classroom learning. Write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words, assessing the benefits and drawbacks of both, by selecting features that support your analysis.
E-learning Classroom learning
accessible anytime anywhere same place, same time
at your own pace caters to the needs of the class
no travel costs, saves time transportation cost and time consuming

View Solution

Step 1: For (a), the main enzyme involved in transcription is RNA polymerase, which synthesizes RNA by reading the DNA template strand and adding complementary RNA nucleotides.
Step 2: For (b), in the transcription unit, the strand with 5’ to 3’ direction (bottom strand, B) is the coding strand, as it has the same sequence as the RNA (except T is replaced by U). The strand with 3’ to 5’ direction (top strand, A) is the template strand, as RNA polymerase reads it to synthesize RNA in the 5’ to 3’ direction.
Sub-part (c):
Step 3: For (c), (C) is the promoter region, where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription, and (D) is the terminator region, where transcription stops, signaling RNA polymerase to release the RNA and DNA. Their significance lies in defining the start and end of the transcription process.
Sub-part (d):
Step 4: For (d), (C) is located at the 5’ end of the coding strand (or start of the transcription unit), serving as the promoter, and (D) is at the 3’ end of the coding strand (or end of the transcription unit), acting as the terminator.
Thus, RNA polymerase drives transcription, the bottom strand (B) is coding and the top strand (A) is the template, with (C) and (D) as promoter and terminator, located at the start and end of the transcription unit, respectively.

Question 6:

Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he’d teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and to add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve. It was quite pleasant working for Anil. I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day’s supplies,usually making a profit of about a rupee a day. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.
(The Thief’s Story)

(i) What does the following line tell us about the character of Anil?
“I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.”

View Solution

(i) Face value of shares issued during 2023-24:
\nIssued shares at 31-3-24 = 6,00,000 shares. Issued shares at 31-3-23 = 5,00,000 shares.
\nIncrease in issued shares = 6,00,000 - 5,00,000 = 1,00,000 shares.
\nFace value of shares issued = 1,00,000 shares \( \times \) Rs 10/share = Rs 10,00,000.
\nCorrect Answer: (A) Rs 10,00,000
\n\n(ii) Number of shares with calls in arrears:
\nThe Note for 31-3-2024 explicitly mentions "Less: calls in arrears 20,000 equity shares @ Rs 2 per share".
\nNumber of shares = 20,000.
\nCorrect Answer: (D) 20,000
\n\n(iii) Debit to Share Capital on Forfeiture:
\nShares forfeited = 20,000 shares.
\nCalled-up amount per share = Rs 10 (stated as fully called up in the Note).
\nDebit to Share Capital = No. of shares forfeited \( \times \) Called-up amount per share
\nDebit = 20,000 \( \times \) Rs 10 = Rs 2,00,000.
\nCorrect Answer: (C) Rs 2,00,000
\n\n(iv) Credit to Share Forfeiture Account:
\nAmount paid per share = Called-up amount - Amount in arrears
\nAmount paid = Rs 10 - Rs 2 = Rs 8 per share.
\nCredit to Share Forfeiture = No. of shares forfeited \( \times \) Amount paid per share
\nCredit = 20,000 \( \times \) Rs 8 = Rs 1,60,000.
\nCorrect Answer: (A) Rs 1,60,000
\n\n(v) Capital Reserve on Reissue at Rs 8 fully paid up:
\nShares reissued = 20,000. Reissue price = Rs 8. Fully paid up = Rs 10.
\nDiscount on reissue = Paid-up Value - Reissue Price = Rs 10 - Rs 8 = Rs 2 per share.
\nAmount forfeited per share = Rs 8.
\nGain per share transferred to Capital Reserve = Amount Forfeited - Discount on Reissue
\nGain per share = Rs 8 - Rs 2 = Rs 6.
\nTotal Capital Reserve = Gain per share \( \times \) No. of shares reissued
\nTotal Capital Reserve = Rs 6 \( \times \) 20,000 = Rs 1,20,000.
\nCorrect Answer: (D) Rs 1,20,000
\n\n(vi) Capital Reserve on Reissue at Minimum Price:
\nAmount forfeited per share = Rs 8.
\nMaximum permissible discount = Amount forfeited = Rs 8 per share.
\nMinimum reissue price = Called-up Value - Maximum Discount
\nMinimum reissue price = Rs 10 - Rs 8 = Rs 2 per share.
\nIf reissued at minimum price (Rs 2), the discount allowed (Rs 8) equals the amount forfeited (Rs 8).
\nGain per share transferred to Capital Reserve = Amount Forfeited - Discount on Reissue
\nGain per share = Rs 8 - Rs 8 = Rs 0.
\nTotal Capital Reserve = Rs 0.
\nCorrect Answer: (D) NIL

Question 6:

(ii) Which of the following best describes the realization Hari Singh had while working for Anil?

(A) that he would become a rich person one day
(B) that Anil was a very intelligent master but a miser
(C) that he would be able to accomplish a lot if he gets educated
(D) that Anil made a lot of money from his job

View Solution

Question 7:

Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the first four lines of the given extract.

The people along the sand
All turn and look one way
They turn their back on the land
They look at the sea all day
Along the sand, the people
All turn and look one way
They turn back on the sand
They look at the sea all day
The people along the sand
Look one way and all turn
Their backs on the land
They look at the sea all day
The people along the sand
They turn their back on the land
They look one way
At the sea all day

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(i) long, tiring and filled with logistical challenges
(ii) remoteness
(iii) (D) feels overwhelmed by the logistical challenges
(iv) The author’s sense of relief and profound wonder reflects the emotional release after an exhausting journey, highlighting the surreal beauty and isolation of Antarctica.

Question 8:

Discuss the character development of Griffin, as he grapples with the repercussions of his actions and attempts to navigate a world, where his once extraordinary abilities have become a burden.
(Footprints without Feet)

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(i) Development of a novel protein: Recombinant vaccine based on selected epitope: To develop a novel protein using recombinant DNA technology, it is first necessary to select an epitope, which is a specific portion of a protein of a virus that can create an immune response. A synthetic gene for the selected epitope is assembled, and introduced into a host cell, like bacteria or yeast. These host cells are grown on a large scale. Then the epitope protein is isolated and purified for use as a recombinant vaccine, or as a subunit vaccine.

Question 9:

Answer any one of the following two questions in 100 - 120 words :

(a) Horace ends up in prison only to regret that a man should not trust anyone blindly without finding out the truth. Do you think his own foolishness was responsible for his arrest? Give a reasoned answer.
(A Question of Trust)

Question 10:

(b) Matilda’s character embodies the journey of change or progression throughout the story, encapsulating the transformations she endured as a consequence of her experiences, trials, and engagements with other characters.
In the light of the above information, trace the transformation seen in Matilda’s character in the story.
(The Necklace)

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