CBSE Class 10 English Board Paper 2025 — Set 6

Read the following text :

1. Creativity is our most precious resource and the most inexhaustible one. As anyone who has ever spent any time with children knows, every single human being is born creative; every human being is innately endowed with the ability to combine data and perceptions, materials and ideas and devise new ways of thinking and doing. What fosters creativity ? More than anything else : the presence of other creative people, contrary to that creativity is the province of great individual geniuses. In fact creativity is a social process. Our biggest creative breakthrough comes when people learn from, compete with, and collaborate with other people.

2. Cities are centres of creativity. With their diverse populations, dense social networks and public spaces, people can meet spontaneously and spark or catalyse new ideas. With their infrastructure for finance, organization and trade, they allow the idea to swiftly reach its destination.

3. A study tracking the decline of unconventional thinking ability as children age, states that while 98 percent of 3 to 5 years olds exhibited creative thinking, this dwindled to 10 percent among 13 to 15 years olds and a mere 2 percent among 25 years olds. Thus, adulthood witnesses the erosion of innate creativity. There is a variance in creative vitality across cities. Although all cities harbour creative individuals by default, some are saturated with leaders, institutions, and people that inhibit creativity.

4. Creativity (or the lack of it) follows the same general contours of the great socio-economic divide — our rising inequality — that plagues us. According to estimates, roughly one-third people are able to do work which engages our creative faculties to some extent, whether as artists, musicians, writers, techies, innovators, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, journalists or educators. That leaves a group termed “the other 66 percent”, in which their creativity is subjugated, ignored or wasted.

5. Creativity itself is not in danger. It is flourishing all around us — in science and technology, arts and culture, in our rapidly revitalizing cities. But we still have a long way to go if we want to build a truly creative society that supports and rewards creativity of each one of us.(Created for academic usage / 410 words)

   Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :

Read the following text :

1. In today’s contemporary online shopping landscape, a perfect storm of choice engulfs consumers. Research consistently indicates that individuals presented with a limited selection tend to make more confident and efficient decisions compared to those confronted with overwhelming choices.

2. Consequently, assisting consumers in navigating the vast expanse of options available online has evolved into a thriving industry on a global scale. Many brands and retailers now employ marketing strategies revolving around the aspects given in the table below :

3. For a relatively new breed of consumer product startups, a different approach emerges entirely. Rather than attempting to navigate the existing sea of products, these companies claim to revolutionize conventional consumer choices. Some brands offer limited, functional, mid-priced products, instilling customer confidence and breaking the cycle of consumerism.

4. The global product abundance could be more equitable. Unfortunately, creators often prioritize wealthier consumers.

5. For startups promising accessible simplicity, their very structure may eventually lead them back to an overwhelming array of choices. Most of these companies rely on hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital funding, and their inventors typically expect rapid growth.(Adapted for academic usage)

   Answer the following questions, based on the passage above :

Read the given sentence from a story. Fill in the blank by using the

correct form of the word in the bracket :

As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me as odd, was the

candle still__________ (burn) on the table. The curtains had been

drawn back and the room was bright.

Identify and correct the error in the sentence taken from the article

— ‘The Hidden Health Risks of Bread Consumption’.

Health experts worldwide are concerning about the surge in health

problems.

Identify the error and supply the correct word in the format given

below :

“Embrace change as an opportunity for personal growth and allowed

it to improve your life.”

Report the dialogue between a shopkeeper and Ramesh :

Shopkeeper : What book do you want ?

Ramesh : A reference book for Physics which I can use for my

project work.

The shopkeeper asked Ramesh which book did he want. Ramesh

replied that___________.

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

article published in a science magazine.

There are many inventions of science_________ (those / which /

such) have benefitted human beings in many ways.

Report the dialogue between the residents’ and the city planner, by

completing the sentence :

City planner : “The new park is a result of several months of

research and planning.”

Residents : “We don’t know who is more excited — we or our

children !”

The city planner said that the new park__________ of several months

of research and planning. The residents expressed their excitement,

stating that they were unsure who was more excited — they or their

children.

The following is an excerpt from a travelogue :

There is an error in the statement. Select the option that identifies

the error and supplies the correction.

Kanyakumari is popular for its beautiful beaches, unique Vivekananda

Rock Memorial and stunning sunrise and sunset view.

Read the following conversation : Student : Hello. I've come to ask about the English courses you run for international students. Administrator : Are you a student at the university ? Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the above dialogue : The student greeted and mentioned that she________ to inquire about the English courses for international students. The administrator enquired if she was a student at the university.

Complete the statement made by a career counsellor by filling the blank with the correct option : In our country,________ universities offer a range of courses. That’s why foreign students prefer Indian universities.

Choose the correct statement:

Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options to conclude the report. The report concludes that_______ learners have_____ knowledge of astrophysics.

“Not from weeping or from grieving will anyone obtain peace of

mind; on the contrary his pain will be greater and his body will

suffer.”

Validate this preaching of Buddha with reference to the story ‘A

Sermon at Benaras’. (A Sermon at Benaras)

‘The Ball Poem’ deals with the undertones of loss and responsibility.

How is the poem very relatable to our lives and what important

message/s do we learn from it ? (The Ball Poem)

The story, ‘Mijbil the Otter’, has it all — emotions, humour, certain

surprising incidents and the freshness of a new and unique type of

story. Explain how Maxwell has highlighted these in his story.(Mijbil — The Otter)

“He was not falling headlong now. He was soaring gradually

downwards and outwards, he was no longer afraid.” Describe the

young seagull’s feelings, emotions and experiences, just before this

moment. (Two Stories about Flying)

The idea of beauty is a one-dimensional cultural conception or one

that has been created by human beings themselves. Comment on the

statement with reference to the conventional ideas of beauty in the

poem ‘For Anne Gregory’. (For Anne Gregory)

Examine the witty strategy used by Ausable in emerging as a super

spy. (The Midnight Visitor)

‘The Necklace’ is a lesson in discontentment and unreasonable

materialism. In light of the preceding statement, discuss Matilda’s

greatest failing.(The Necklace)

Think-tank excelled in misinterpreting and mispresenting things.

Do you agree ? Justify giving appropriate reasons.(The Book that Saved the Earth)

You are Garima/Gopal, a resident of B/66, Mall Road, Guwahati and

a volunteer of ‘Greenpeace India’. Write a letter to the editor of

‘National Times’' expressing your concern about the grave and

irreparable damage that environmental pollution is causing to the

society. In megacities, rapid urbanization and rampant

industrialization has played a key role in increasing the pressure on

the limited resources.

Discuss how environmental degradation can be curbed with the

development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental

laws, regulations and policies.

Obesity has become a global issue. The lack of physical fitness

programmes and extra-curriculars has created significant problems

that could affect future health of youngsters. 39 percent of

individuals around the world are overweight and 13 percent are

obese. You are Shiksha/Sumit of Ramjas School, Ranchi. You believe

that efforts by the government will help to turn the tide.

Write a letter to the Ministry of Health for implementing

compulsory programmes at school level to emphasize need for proper

nutrition and fitness from a young age.

The Pros and Cons of using the internet in everyday life are

numerous. The internet is like a double-edged sword. Based on the

information provided in the table below, write an analytical

paragraph on the topic ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of the

Internet’ in not less than 120 words.

Read the following details :

Students today are becoming victims of cyber-crime and cyber

bullying in schools, which is affecting the mental health of students.

Write an analytical paragraph in 120 words on the problems and

causes of cyber-crimes.

Examine the role of Nature in the poems ‘The Dust of Snow’ and ‘Fog’.

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.(Diary of Anne Frank & Madam Rides the Bus)

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 ? (The Making of a Scientist)

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 ? (Bholi)