CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2025
ENGLISH
(Solved)
General Instructions :
Read the following instructions carefully and follow them :
- This question paper contains 34 questions. All questions are compulsory.
- This question paper is divided into 8 sections.
- Section A – questions number 1 to 4 are case based questions
- Section B – questions number 5 to 6 are unseen passage
- Section C – questions number 7 to 14 are grammar short
- Section D – questions number 15 to 18 are grammar mcqs
- Section E – questions number 19 to 26 are short answer
- Section F – questions number 27 to 28 are letter
- Section G – questions number 29 to 30 are paragraph
- Section H – questions number 31 to 34 are long answer
- There is no overall choice given in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions.
- Use of calculator is NOT allowed.
Section A
Not a leaf remained on the trees. The corn was totally destroyed. The flowers were gone from the plants. Lencho’s soul was filled with sadness. When the storm had passed, he stood in the middle of the field and said to his sons, ‘A plague of locusts would have left more than this. The hail has left nothing. This year we will have no corn.’
That night was a sorrowful one.
‘All our work, for nothing.’ ‘
There’s no one who can help us.’
‘We’ll all go hungry this year.’ (A Letter to God)
(1) Why were there no leaves left on the trees ? (A) The locusts ate them up. (B) An earthquake had occurred. (C) There was a hailstorm. (D) The animals grazed on them.
(2) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets. Lencho felt _____________(jubilant/devastated) when he saw his destroyed corn fields.
(3) When Lencho says, “All our work, for nothing,” what does he refer to ? Explain in about 40 words.
(4) Why would Lencho have preferred a plague of locusts to a hailstorm ?
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)
(1) 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.”
(2) 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
(3) What did Anil promise to teach Hari Singh, and how did Hari Singh feel about the opportunity to learn ? Answer in about 40 words.
(4) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets. The narrator earned extra money by making a/an _____________(profit/investment) of about a rupee a day.
"I heard an old religious man
But yesternight declare
That he had found a text to prove That only God, my dear,
Could love you for yourself alone
And not your yellow hair." (For Anne Gregory)
(1) Complete the sentence appropriately : 1 The speaker addresses the person he is speaking to as “my dear” because ____________.
(2) The poet mentions “yellow hair”. What is its significance in the context of the statement ? Answer in about 40 words.
(3) Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets. 1 The poet suggests that God’s love in comparison to that of a human being is ____________(selfish/selfless).
(4) As per the above extract, what attributes does God not love a person for ? Select the correct option. 1. Wealth 2. Physical appearance 3. Intelligence 4. Inner qualities 5. Youth (A) l and 4 (B) 3,4,and 5 (C) 2 and 4 D) Only 4
He stalks in his vivid stripes
The few steps of his cage,
On pads of velvet quiet,
In his quiet rage.
He should be lurking in shadow,
Sliding through long grass (A Tiger in the Zoo)
(1) Identify and name any one figure of speech in the above extract.
(2) Fill in the blank with one word. The tiger’s stalking on ‘pads of velvet’ suggests a movement that is __________________
(3) Based on the given lines from the poem, which words would best describe the feelings of the tiger? (A) Calm and content (B) Both subdued and angry (C) Both frustrated and happy (D) Both angry and famished
(4) Select the option that applies the same rhyme scheme as the first four lines of the given extract. (A) 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 (B) Along the sand, the people All turn and look one way They turn back on the sand They look at the sea all day (C) The people along the sand Look one way and all turn Their backs on the land They look at the sea all day (D) The people along the sand They turn their back on the land They look one way At the sea all day.
Section B
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.
(7)Given its high price, adulteration is quite common, unfortunately. Adulterants like beetroot or pomegranate are used to enhance red colour; silk fibres, oil, or wax are used to add bulk, and powdered saffron can be adulterated with turmeric and paprika.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :
(1) 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.” Paragraph (1)
[1 Mark](2) 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 Paragraph (1)
(3) List any two points why saffron is revered across the globe. Paragraphs (2) and (3)
(4) 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 Paragraph (3)
(5) State whether the following statement is True or False : According to historians, saffron was first used in the kitchens in Iran. Paragraph (5)
(6) 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. Paragraph (6)
(7) Support the writer’s view with evidence from the text that saffron is often adulterated. Paragraph (7)
(8) Complete the sentence appropriately : Saffron has a labour-intensive cultivation process which involves _________Paragraph(4)
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.
(5)So what makes silk so costly ? Firstly, cultivation of silk is a labour-intensive work. Secondly, the silk fabric is carefully derived from the larva of the silkworms which spin silk threads around themselves to make cocoons from natural sources. This makes the production limited due to factors like — climate, availability of quality mulberry leaves and time required by silkworms to complete their lifecycle. Thirdly, the intensive work can only be carried out with specialized knowledge and expertise by skilled artisans and craftsmanship. Lastly, superior quality silk fabrics are made from long and uniform silk fibres giving them a smooth and lustrous appearance. Thus, production requires careful selection, adding to the cost.
In 2021, Karnataka was the highest producer of raw silk at 8483 metric tonnes followed by Andhra Pradesh at 5520 metric tonnes with Assam close behind at 5038 metric tonnes. At the other end of the spectrum there was Chhattisgarh (248 metric tonnes), Nagaland (230 metric tonnes) and UP trailed behind at 179 metric tonnes.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage :
(1) What does the phrase ‘luxurious qualities’ in paragraph (2) tell you about the silk fabric ? Write in 40 words with evidence from the text.
[2 Marks](2) 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.
(3) Based on the given text, mention the states which produced the most and the least amount of raw silk in India in the year 2021.
(4) Complete the sentence suitably. 104 kgs of mulberry leaves eaten by 3000 silkworms results in_____________.
(5) “Factors like climate, availability of quality mulberry leaves and time required by silkworms to complete their lifecycle are important factors for the production of silk.” State any one inference that can be drawn from this.
(6) Complete the following with a suitable reason from the text : Though silk is considered one of the strongest fibres, it is_________.
(7) With reference to the given passage, give one reason why silk production is considered labour-intensive.
(8) According to the passage, mention the top two countries that produce silk.
(9) Justify the following statement : Silk whispers luxury! Its price reflects not just its rarity but the value of the meticulous process behind its creation.
Section C
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.'
Read the given sentence. Identify the error and supply the correction in the sentence:
Ninety-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.
Yukti and Sanjay had a conversation about going to a restaurant.
Report Yukti’s question: 'Does this restaurant serve good South Indian food?'
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.
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.
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.
Report the dialogue between two friends by completing the sentence:
Bhawna: I finished the project yesterday.
Sohail: That’s great! Are you going to present it tomorrow?
Bhawna told Sohail that ____________. Sohail responded that it was great and asked if she were going to present it the next day.
Identify the error and supply the correction for the following note in an air purifier's instruction manual: The plug should fit upto the outlet. If it doesn’t fit, do not force it in.
Use the given format for your response.
Section D
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.
In reported speech for yes/no questions, 'are you sure you can manage' changes to 'if she was sure she could manage'. The present tense 'are' changes to past tense 'was', and 'can manage' changes to 'could manage' to reflect the past narration. Therefore, the correct option is 'if she was sure she could manage'.
Complete the given narrative with the correct option to fill in the blank: Yesterday, Tanu walked to the park and __________ a breezy evening.
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past, as indicated by the word 'Yesterday.' Therefore, the past simple tense of the verb 'enjoy' is appropriate, which is 'enjoyed.' The other options are grammatically incorrect in this context: 'did enjoyed' is incorrect because 'did' should be followed by the base form of the verb; 'to enjoying' is a wrong form; 'will enjoy' refers to the future tense, which does not fit with 'Yesterday.'
Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option to complete the notice on a school notice board: We are pleased to announce that our Annual Sports Day _________ on 30th April, 2025 at the school playground from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Since the notice is announcing a future event scheduled for 30th April, 2025, the correct verb tense to use is the simple future tense 'will be held'. The other options either refer to past events ('had been held'), or use incorrect or less suitable tenses for this formal announcement.
Complete the slogan on 'Save Earth', by filling in the blank with the correct option. Lets join hands, cultivate conservation, and _________ a greener tomorrow for generations to come.
The sentence structure uses 'Lets join hands, cultivate conservation, and _____ a greener tomorrow', which requires the base form of the verb 'ensure' to maintain parallelism with the other verbs 'join' and 'cultivate'. Hence, 'ensure' is the correct choice. Other options like 'ensured' (past tense), 'ensures' (third person singular), or 'ensuring' (present participle) do not fit grammatically in this context.
Section E
Mandela in his speech says, “The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people.” Explain the significance of the word “wound” as used by Mandela. (Nelson Mandela — Long Walk to Freedom)
‘Dust of Snow’, by Robert Frost is a poem about nature and simplicity. Elaborate.
Explain the reasons for Rajvir’s excitement on seeing the plantation and Pranjol’s lack of enthusiasm. (Glimpses of India — Tea from Assam)
Analyze how Wells employs humour, rhyme, and exaggerated traits to not only entertain, but also educate readers about various wild animals. Explain.
(How to Tell Wild Animals)
Mijbil’s transportation to England was no less than a nightmare for the author. Justify the statement using incidents from the lesson. (Mijbil the Otter)
Analyze how Herriot uses Tricki and Mrs. Pumphrey’s relationship to comment on societal attitudes towards pets and the responsibilities associated with their care. (A Triumph of Surgery)
Today reading books is on the decline because of the prevalence of electronic media. Contrarily, earth is saved by a ‘Book’ in the chapter “The Book That Saved the Earth”. Elaborate.
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)
Section F
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.
F-32, Shanti Nagar,
Vayugarh
Date: 10 June 2024
To,
The MLA,
Vayugarh Constituency.
Subject: Request for Improvement of Healthcare Facilities in Vayugarh
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am Soumya Hansal, a resident of Shanti Nagar, Vayugarh. I am writing to draw your attention towards the inadequate healthcare facilities in our town. The existing healthcare centers often lack essential medical equipment and adequate staff, causing difficulties for patients especially women and children.
I humbly request you to take measures to improve the current healthcare infrastructure by upgrading facilities and ensuring proper medical staff availability. Additionally, establishing more Wellness Centres will promote preventive healthcare. It is also imperative to create a specialized hospital for children and women to address their specific health needs effectively.
Improved healthcare facilities will not only benefit the residents but also enhance the overall health and well-being of the community.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Soumya Hansal
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.
From
Risha Khan / Zuhaan Khan,
Sports Captain,
Highrise Public School,
New Line, Rai Nagar.
Date: 24 June 2024
To,
The Editor,
A National Daily,
Subject: Need for a Dedicated Sports University
Sir/Madam,
Games and sports are essential for students, contributing significantly to their physical and mental development. Physical education not only promotes health and fitness but also teaches important life skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Unfortunately, sports often take a backseat due to academic pressures.
I strongly believe that establishing a dedicated sports university will provide students with a focused platform to pursue their favorite sports professionally. This university can nurture talent, promote sports culture, and create future athletes who can represent our country globally.
Therefore, I request the authorities to consider this proposal to build a better sporting future for students.
Yours sincerely,
Risha Khan / Zuhaan Khan
Section G
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.
Read the given details of a computer.
Analyse the details and write an analytical paragraph in about 120 words about the description and role of computers in today’s world.
Section H
In ‘The Ball Poem’, Berryman explores the themes of loss, growing up, and transformation. Mandela also experienced loss of freedom and suffering along with his countrymen during his growing years on the basis of his race and colour.
Compare and contrast the commonality of themes in both the texts.
(The Ball Poem and Nelson Mandela — Long Walk to Freedom)
Both John Berryman’s poem 'The Ball Poem' and Nelson Mandela’s autobiography 'Long Walk to Freedom' deal with the profound themes of loss, growth, and transformation, though in different contexts and magnitudes. In 'The Ball Poem', a young boy experiences the loss of his ball, symbolizing his first encounter with loss and the subsequent understanding of growing up. This loss signifies the inevitable changes and responsibilities that come with maturity, marking a personal transformation through acceptance of impermanence.
Similarly, Nelson Mandela faced loss in a deeply political and social context. Growing up under apartheid, Mandela endured the loss of freedom not just personally but also as part of his community suffering racial discrimination and oppression. This profound loss shaped his understanding of justice and freedom. Mandela’s journey from youthful 'transitory freedoms' to the lifelong struggle for 'the basic and honourable freedoms' reflects his transformation into a leader fighting for collective liberation.
Thus, both texts revolve around loss leading to growth and transformation. The boy’s loss in the poem is personal and symbolic, teaching him acceptance and maturity, whereas Mandela’s losses are communal and political, inspiring resilience, courage, and a commitment to social change. Despite different scales, both emphasize that loss is an essential step towards gaining deeper awareness and responsibility in life.
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)
Horace Danby's arrest was indeed a result of his own foolishness, primarily because he trusted the young lady blindly without verifying her intentions. Despite being a meticulous planner and a man who valued rare books, Horace's downfall came when he let his guard down due to emotional trust. His lack of honesty, with a habit of stealing rare books despite being respectable, also contributed to his imprisonment. Horace’s regret reflects his realization that blind trust can lead to serious consequences. A wise person should always seek the truth before trusting others completely. Thus, Horace’s past dishonest actions and his naivety in trusting someone without caution were responsible for his arrest. This teaches the valuable lesson that trust must be earned and cautiously given, especially in situations involving personal risk.
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)
Matilda's character undergoes a significant transformation throughout the story 'The Necklace'. At the beginning, she is portrayed as a dissatisfied woman who longs for a luxurious and wealthy lifestyle, resenting her modest existence. When invited to the grand party, she borrows a beautiful necklace to appear elegant, reflecting her desire for social status. However, losing the necklace changes her life drastically. To replace the lost necklace, she and her husband plunge into debt and lead a life of hardship and poverty for ten years. This struggle transforms Matilda from a vain and self-centered woman to a hardworking and humble individual. She endures physical and emotional suffering and adapts to a simple life full of toil and sacrifice. The necklace incident thus humbles her and brings a profound change in her personality. Ironically, at the end, it is revealed that the original necklace was a fake, meaning all the suffering was needless. Through this story, Matilda's journey symbolizes the consequences of pride and the value of honesty. Her character progression emphasizes how adverse experiences reshape one's attitude toward life.
Amanda and Valli both represent a longing for freedom. Examine the above observation with reference to the two texts. (Amanda and Madam Rides the Bus)
Amanda from Tennessee Williams' play 'The Glass Menagerie' and Valli from the story 'Madam Rides the Bus' both symbolize a strong desire for freedom, albeit in different contexts and ways. Amanda, a mother, yearns for freedom from loneliness and a confined life shaped by her past experiences and worries about her children’s futures. She reminisces about her youthful dreams and longs for a better, freer life. On the other hand, Valli, a young girl from a modest background, expresses her longing for freedom through her adventurous spirit. She plans and embarks on a bus journey alone to experience the wider world beyond her village, symbolizing her desire to break free from daily monotony and routines. Both characters portray freedom as an escape from their current limitations—Amanda’s emotional and social confinement and Valli’s physical and experiential boundaries. Their actions and thoughts are driven by a need to explore, experience, and break away from restrictions. While Amanda’s freedom is more about emotional and psychological release, Valli’s freedom is physical and experiential, showing how the theme of freedom is relevant across different ages and circumstances.
Other Years — English