CBSE Class 10 English Board Paper 2025 — Set 5

Read the following text :

1. ChatGPT can search. It cannot research. The platform has attracted the world’s attention because of the speed with which it assembles and produces information in a logical sequence, powered by artificial intelligence, as if a human being were prompting it to write.

2. Curious about understanding what ChatGPT can do, I opened an account and asked if it would replace research in the future. Promptly, it replied : “As an Al language model, I don’t hold personal beliefs, but I can present arguments on both sides of the topic.”

3. The answer amused me. The speed with which it typed the information across the screen was mind-boggling. I could not read the answer as fast as it typed out the sentence. But, when it had finished, I read through the document. It was impressive. It was truly informative.

4. Five different points had been explained briefly in seconds. I would have thought of those five points in an hour or more, depending on the complexity of the topic. “Al : Catalyst, not Conqueror : ChatGPT and the future of research” was the title that it threw up to my question. It matched my opinion about the future of research after ChatGPT. The write-up had an introduction and a conclusion, just as our English teachers have taught us.

5. The document came from countless databases, as that is what it’s designed to do. By contrast, when I research a subject for an 800- word article, I visit five or six authoritative sources; I don’t go to a million as most are copies.

6. The difference between the write-up of ChatGPT and my research article is the former is a mere summary. When I write, I search new ideas and knit them in a way that reflect my thoughts and perspective. I choose only what is original, unique and fresh and process them in my mind to create a fresh angle.

7. Research has no value if it only summarises known information. Even a literature survey in your subject requires you to say what you will do with it further, and how.

8. Research is not a joke. Years ago, I had asked my professor, later on my supervisor, “How can I publish an article in research journals ?”

9. He answered, “When you have read everything on the subject, and have something original to add to the existing body of research.” My head swam.

10. Excellent research is a daunting task and calls for hard intellectual work. When you research, you don't go wide; you go deep. You thoroughly investigate a minor concept, researching it extensively, substantiating each claim with reliable sources, experiments, models and beyond. It took years to discover the atom and the theory of gravitation. ChatGPT can summarise these discoveries, but it cannot add to them. It does not have the mental wherewithal for that.

    Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :

Read the following text :

1. The climate and landscape in Uttarakhand vary greatly with altitude (186 — 7619 m), from the largest glaciers in the higher elevation to the subtropical forests in the lowest elevation.

2. The lowlands along the border of U.P. are covered by the drier Terai- Savanna grasslands, the moist deciduous forest of the Upper Gangetic Plains form the Bhabhar belt. Due to the extensive agricultural practices, most of these lowland forests have been cleared. Snow and bare ice occupy the highest altitudes.

3. This state occupies 53,483 sq.km., (1.63% of India’s total land area). Out of 13 districts, Uttarkashi occupies the maximum area of 8039 sq. km., while Champawat covers the minimum area of 1634 sq. km. Uttarakhand experiences four types of seasons, namely, Monsoon (June to September), Post-monsoon (October to November), Cold weather (December to February) and Pre-monsoon (March to May). The normal annual precipitation in the state is 1446 mm. Rain usually starts at the end of April and lasts until September. The monsoon rainfall is 78% of the annual rainfall. This makes the state prone to flood during monsoon. Bageshwar receives the maximum normal annual rainfall (1872 mm). 81% falls of this rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. Haridwar receives the minimum normal annual rainfall (1107 mm).

4. Due to the differences in topographical features, temperatures vary widely. During March and April, temperatures rise until they peak in May and June, when the mean maximum temperature in the southern and valley regions is between 34° and 38 °C, and the mean minimum temperature is between 20° and 24 °C. Temperatures can reach 42 °C in the valleys and southern half of the state and 30 °C in two-kilometre-high elevations on some days. Day and night temperatures begin to dip around the end of September and reach the lowest in January and early February. January is the coldest month, with an average maximum temperature of 20 °C and an average lowest temperature of 6 °C. The mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures range from 10° to 12 °C at altitudes of 2 km. Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :

Fill in the blank to complete this message in a poster for safety. Our planet is precious and only we_______ save it.

Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the dialogues given below : Mother : Why aren’t you playing with your friends ? Rayan : I am not feeling well today. Mother asked Rayan_________ Rayan replied that he was not feeling well that day.

Fill in the blank choosing the most appropriate option : The news about the retirement of my favourite character gave me ________ disappointment.

Complete the given sentence with the correct form of verb. It is important to________ a healthy atmosphere.

Rahil and Somil decided to reach the theatre at 5 pm. Report the

question asked by Rahil to Somil.

Which movie are we going to watch ?

Rahil asked Somil________.

Read the given line and identify the error.

When the rounds were completed, the hurdle and mazes appeared

on the appropriate places.

Select the option that identifies the error and supplies the correction

for the line given below :

In earlier times, public libraries plays an important role in the lives

of the people.

Report the dialogue between a guard and a visitor by completing the

sentence :

Guard : Good morning Sir ! Park your car in the Visitor’s Parking

Area.

Visitor : OK. Please help me park my car in the Visitor’s Parking

Area.

The guard greeted the visitor and told him to park his car at the

Visitor’s Parking Area. At this, the visitor requested him_________.

Identify the error and supply correction for the following pre-flight

announcement before take-off.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard flight 487 flying from Hong

Kong to San Francisco. We are currently third in line for take-off

and were expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes

time.

Use the given format for your response.

Fill in the blank by choosing the correct option, to complete the line

given below :

The roads have been widened so much that six lanes of vehicles

_________ (will/may/could) be accommodated.

Fill in the blank by using the correct form of the word in the bracket :

Mahi_______ (shirk) the task given to her and went out to play.

Ilustrate Lencho’'s unwavering faith in the Divine. (A Letter to God)

In what way did Nelson Mandela’s yearning for freedom alter the

course of his life ? ( Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom)

Is it ethical to enclose wild animals within cages ? Discuss with

reference to the poem, ‘A Tiger in the Zoo'.

Upon encountering the deceased cow on the road, Valli was

emotional. Comment with reference to ‘Madam Rides the Bus’.

How does modern India recognize the tradition of courage and

bravery in Coorgi culture ? (Glimpses of India)

Education acts as a catalyst for a significant transformation in

Bholi. Comment. (Bholi)

Refusing to accept our circumstances can result in an unhappy life.

Discuss in brief with reference to the story ‘The Necklace’.

How was the Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smile’ at the end different from

similar smiles of his on earlier occasions ? (The Thief’s Story)

Convenience, variety, discounts and laziness are some of the reasons

for the growing popularity of ordering food online. You are Santa /

Suhail student editor for the National Times. Compose a letter in

about 120 words to the Editor of the newspaper highlighting the

adverse effects of take-out food ordered online. Emphasize on the

overall well-being of eating home-cooked meals.

You visited your hometown after a period of four years and were

disappointed at the condition of the roads. They were in a state of

disrepair. The uneven surfaces, cracks and pot-holes were affecting

daily commute and causing safety issues for the people. You are

Sulekha/Salim. Write a letter to the Director of the Municipal

Corporation in about 100-120 words drawing attention to the poor

condition of roads and the inconvenience caused. Request him to

look into the matter and take early action.

Read the following details of a children’s park in your colony :

Analyse the details of the park and write an analytical paragraph in

about 120 words about its suitability as a children’s park.

There is an alarming increase in the percentage of students

suffering from obesity. Given below are some of the findings of a

survey conducted to identify causes :

• unhealthy diet — 40%

• lack of exercise — 30%

• stress and anxiety — 25%

• genetic factors — 5%

  Analyse the causes for obesity.

Self-doubt and fear often act as barriers to success. On the other

hand, curiosity leads to learning new things. Justify the statement

citing instances from ‘His First Flight’ and ‘Madam Rides the Bus’.

What distinguishes the portrayal of the tiger in the poem ‘A Tiger in

the Zoo’ from the depiction of the tiger in the poem ‘How to tell Wild

Animals’ ?

Imagine you are Bholi and write a diary entry, explaining how you dare to take such a bold step of refusing to marry Bishamber. (Bholi)

In the story, ‘A Triumph of Surgery’, a wealthy woman’s nonsensical

behaviour, is depicted. Do you think such individuals are merely

displaying foolishness or could their actions potentially, inflict harm

upon others ? Support your answer from the text.