CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2025 - OUT

Read the following text:

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

(i)The central idea of this passage is that:

(A) social interaction is necessary to nurture creativity.

(B) creativity and ideas are gradually declining in all societies..

(C) the creativity divide is widening in societies in line with socio- economic trends.

(D) more people should work in jobs that engage their creative faculties.

Answer: (C) the creativity divide is widening in societies in line with socio- economic trends.

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

Assertion: Creativity is the province of great individual genius is not true.

Reason: Creativity is a social process.

(A) Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation and assertion.

(B) Both the Assertion and 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.

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

Explanation: The text clearly states that creativity is not the sole domain of individual geniuses but is instead a social process that flourishes when people interact and collaborate.

(iii) Identify the word in paragraph 1 which means something that cannot be used-up or depleted.

Answer: inexhaustible

(iv) What important trends does a study tracking the decline in creative thinking ability in children reveal? Answer in about 40 words.

Answers: The study reveals that nearly 98% of 3–5 year olds display creative thinking, but this ability sharply declines with age, dropping to 10% among 13–15-year-olds and only 2% among 2 year olds, indicating that innate creativity erodes significantly over time.

(v) Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank.

Our biggest creative breakthrough comes when people learn from, compete with, and collaborate with other people. Creativity is thus a (economic, industrial, social) process.

Answer: social

(vi) According to the passage, where does creativity thrive apart from arts and culture?

Answer: Creativity also thrives in science and technology as well as in rapidly revitalizing cities, where diverse social networks and dynamic environments foster innovative ideas.

(vii) Complete the following with a suitable reason:

About thirty-three percent citizens engage their creative faculties in tasks that use

Answer: About thirty-three percent of citizens engage their creative faculties in tasks that use their innate imaginative and problem-solving abilities. This engagement drives innovation and contributes significantly to advancements in fields such as art, science, technology, and entrepreneurship.

(viii) In the context of the last paragraph, explain how does the passage view the future of creativity in society.

Answer:
The passage is optimistic yet cautionary. It suggests that although creativity is flourishing in various sectors like science, technology, arts, and urban environments, there remains a significant challenge: building a society that fully nurtures, supports, and rewards the creative potential of every individual.

2. Read the following text (Passage 2):

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

(i)What does the use of the phrase 'a perfect storm of choice', by the writer, in paragraph 1, tell us about their feelings?

(A) The consumers are elated

(B) The consumers are confused

(C) The consumers are confident

(D) The consumers are decisive

Answer: (B) The consumers are confused

Explanation: The phrase 'a perfect storm of choice' suggests an overwhelming and confusing situation rather than a positive or confident one.

(ii) Identify the word in paragraph 2, that indicates that the writer feels assisting consumers has become a profitable industry.

Answer: thriving

Explanation: The word "thriving" suggests success and profitability in the context of assisting consumers in making choices.

(iii) Based on the aspects mentioned in the table, mention the marketing approach that is primarily concerned with understanding consumers based on various factors.

Answer: Data utilization

Explanation: "Data utilization" involves cataloging people by gender, income level, personal interests, etc., which is aimed at understanding consumer behavior.

(iv) Complete the following analogy approximately, based on your understanding of the table:

Cataloging people by gender, income level, personal interests etc. is to Data utilization as Algorithms, influencers, and ad tech are to ……………..

Answer: Retail assistance

(v) Which aspect in the table pertains to presenting consumers with carefully selected choices to assist decision-making?

(A) Challenge

(B) Data utilization

(C) Marketing trends

(D) Retail assistance

Answer: (C) Marketing tools

Explanation: ‘Selecting, differentiation, and discovery’ under marketing tools refers to presenting curated options to simplify consumer choices.

(vi) Based on your understanding, fill the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets:

The solution to combat choice fatigue to ………………..(follow / employ / recommend) lifestyle influencers on Instagram who provide self- improving content and product references.

Answer: follow

(vii) Complete the sentence suitably:

The different approach to revolutionise consumer choices is to ………….

Answer: offer limited, functional, mid-priced products that instill customer confidence and break the cycle of consumerism.

(viii) Complete the following with a suitable reason:

The writer believes that the global product abundance cannot be equitable because ………………..

Answer: creators often prioritize wealthier consumers, making access to products uneven across different economic groups.

(ix) In the context of the last paragraph though the startups promise simplicity of access, what are the drawbacks of such a structure?

Answer:

Startups rely on large amounts of venture capital funding and are pressured to achieve rapid growth. This financial model may eventually push them towards expanding their product range, leading them back to offering an overwhelming variety of choices, contradicting their initial promise of simplicity.

Section - B Grammar and Creative Writing Skill

(i) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word in the bracket:

• Sentence: "As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me as odd, was the candle still (burn) on the table."
• Correct answer: "burning"
• Corrected sentence: "As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me as odd, was the candle still burning on the table."

(ii)Identify and correct the error in the sentence:

"Health experts worldwide are concerning about the surge in health problems."

• Error: "are concerning"
• Correction: "are concerned"
• Corrected sentence: "Health experts worldwide are concerned about the surge in health problems."

(iii)Complete the given statement by filling the blank with the correct option:

"A mask is used to hide the identity _____ a person."

• Correct answer: (A) of
• Complete sentence: "A mask is used to hide the identity of a person."

(iv)Select the correct option to complete the reporting of the dialogue:

"The student greeted and mentioned that she ______ to inquire about the English courses for international students."

• Correct answer: (D) had come
• Corrected sentence: "The student greeted and mentioned that she had come to inquire about the English courses for international students." 

(v) 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."

Answer:

• Error - allowed
• Correction - allow

(vi) 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 ……………..

Answer: The shopkeeper asked Ramesh which book he wanted. Ramesh replied that he wanted a reference book for Physics which he could use for his project work.

(vii) 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.

Answer: There are many inventions of science which have benefitted human beings in many ways.

(viii) 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.

(A) more

(C) many

(B) each

(D) few

Answer: (C) many

(ix) 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.

Answer: The city planner said that the new park was a result 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.

(x) Choose the correct statement:

(A) He sweared that he had not stolen the bag.

(B) He swore that he had not stolen the bag.

(C) He was swearing that he had not stolen the bag.

(D) He swears that he had not stolen the bag.

Answer: (B) He swore that he had not stolen the bag.

(xi) 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.

Error - Correction

(A) is - are

(B) for - of

(C) and - also

(D) view - views

Answer: Option (D)

• Error: view
• Correction: views

(xii) Fill in the blanks by choosing the correct options to conclude the report.

The report concludes that ………………..learners have ……………….knowledge of astrophysics.

(A) very few / some

(B) some/every

(C) every/no

(D) no/a lot of

Answer: (A) very few / some

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.