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By Ankit Gupta
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Updated on 6 Aug 2025, 14:48 IST
An unseen passage is a paragraph or story that students have never read before. It is called “unseen” because it is not part of your textbook or homework. You read it for the first time during the exam or practice. In Class 8, unseen passages are a very important part of the English exam. They help teachers understand how well students can read, understand, and answer questions based on a new text.
The main aim of an unseen passage for Class 8 is to test your reading and understanding skills. It teaches you how to find the main idea, understand new words, and look for important information in a short time. It also checks how well you can answer questions without memorizing. That’s why unseen passages help you become better at reading and thinking quickly.
There are usually two types of unseen passages in the exam—factual and literary. A factual passage gives real information, like about science, nature, or famous people. A literary passage tells a story or talks about feelings. Both types of passages help you build your reading habits and improve your English.
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To do well in the unseen passage section, students should practice regularly. Reading different types of texts helps improve speed, vocabulary, and understanding. You can find many unseen passage for Class 8 with answers PDF online to practice at home.
In this article, you will find easy examples of unseen passages for Class 8, along with questions and answers. These will help you prepare well for your exams and boost your confidence. Whether you are a student, teacher, or parent, this guide will make learning fun and simple.
An unseen passage for Class 8 is a short paragraph or article that students have not read before. It can be from any topic—science, nature, biography, or a story. You are required to read the passage carefully and answer questions based on your understanding.
These questions can be:
The goal is to test your reading ability, vocabulary, critical thinking, and how well you can understand new information.
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Understanding unseen passages is more than just getting marks. It helps students develop useful life skills. Here’s why they matter:
Skill | How Unseen Passages Help |
Comprehension | Teaches you how to understand and absorb new content. |
Vocabulary | Introduces new words and phrases in context. |
Time Management | Helps practice answering under time pressure. |
Critical Thinking | Makes you think beyond the lines and draw conclusions. |
They are an important section in Class 8 English exams and often carry 10 to 20 marks.
There are mainly two types of unseen passages for Class 8 in English:
Type | Description |
Factual Passage | Provides real information about a topic such as animals, science, biography, etc. |
Literary Passage | Includes stories, poems, or narrative descriptions. |
Let’s understand both types with examples and questions.
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Passage 1 – Factual (The Importance of Clean Water)
Clean water is essential for life. Every living being on Earth depends on it. Clean water is used for drinking, cooking, and farming. However, not everyone has access to safe water. Polluted water causes many diseases, especially in children.
To protect our health, we must conserve water and keep water sources clean. Using less plastic, throwing waste in proper bins, and supporting water conservation programs are small steps that make a big difference.
Questions:
Answers:
This is a good example of an unseen passage for Class 8 with answers PDF that can help students practice and revise effectively.
Passage 2 – Literary (A New Friend)
Arjun had just moved to a new school. On the first day, he felt lonely and nervous. During lunch, a boy named Aman sat beside him and shared his food. They talked and laughed, and by the end of the day, Arjun felt happy. Aman's kindness made Arjun’s day better.
From that day on, Arjun and Aman became best friends. They studied together, played together, and helped each other with homework.
Questions:
Answers:
Such passages are ideal for practicing unseen passage for Class 8 with questions and answers PDF format.
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Passage:
The sun was setting behind the hills, casting a golden glow over the small village of Rampur. The villagers were returning from their fields after a long day’s work. Children played near the river, their laughter echoing in the evening air. Old men sat under the banyan tree, discussing the day’s events.
Ravi, a young boy from the village, loved watching the sunset. He would often sit on a rock near the river and dream about exploring the world beyond his village. He had read stories about great travelers and explorers, and he wanted to be like them. However, his father, a farmer, wanted him to stay in the village and help with the family’s fields.
One evening, Ravi met an old traveler who had visited many countries. The traveler told him about the wonders of the world, the mountains, oceans, and different cultures. Ravi listened with great interest. The traveler advised him, “Dream big, but never forget where you come from.”
That night, Ravi thought a lot about the traveler’s words. He realized that learning and exploring were important, but so was respecting his roots. He decided that he would study hard and one day travel the world while also helping his village grow.
Ques. Where did the villagers go after a long day’s work?
Answer: The villagers returned from their fields after a long day’s work.
Ques. What did Ravi love to do in the evening?
Answer: Ravi loved watching the sunset while sitting on a rock near the river.
Ques. Why did Ravi’s father want him to stay in the village?
Answer: Ravi’s father wanted him to stay in the village to help with the family’s fields.
Ques. Who did Ravi meet near the river one evening?
Answer: Ravi met an old traveler near the river one evening.
Ques. What advice did the traveler give to Ravi?
Answer: The traveler advised Ravi to dream big but never forget where he came from.
Ques. What did Ravi decide to do at the end of the passage?
Answer: Ravi decided to study hard, travel the world, and also help his village grow.
Ques. Find a word in the passage that means ‘adventurer.’
Answer: The word "traveler" from the passage means 'adventurer.'
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Here’s a simple strategy you can follow:
Before reading the passage, quickly go through the questions. This helps you know what to look for.
Quickly read the passage once to understand the idea, then scan for keywords while answering.
Mark important names, numbers, or dates in the passage.
Try to write answers in your own words rather than copying full sentences.
Use unseen passage for Class 8 PDF worksheets for daily practice.
Using PDF resources has multiple advantages:
You can find many unseen passage for Class 8 with questions and answers PDF on educational websites, apps, and even school resources.
As per the latest CBSE English paper pattern:
Practicing as per the pattern improves time management and accuracy.
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Here are expert tips to help you do well:
Tip | Explanation |
Read Slowly First | Understand the meaning, don’t rush. |
Don’t Assume Answers | Base your answers only on the passage. |
Use Keywords from Questions | Helps you locate the right paragraph. |
Practice Daily | Improves speed and confidence. |
Learn New Words | Build your vocabulary. |
An ideal unseen passage for Class 8 PDF should include:
The unseen passage for Class 8 section is not just a part of your English paper—it is a way to improve your thinking and reading. With regular practice using unseen passage for Class 8 with questions and answers PDF, you can boost your confidence and perform better in school exams.
Make use of printable PDFs, worksheets, and reading materials. Try solving 2 passages a week and review your answers honestly. Over time, you will notice improvement in your comprehension, vocabulary, and even writing.
An unseen passage is a paragraph or story that students have not read before. It is given in exams to test reading and understanding skills. Students must read the passage and answer the questions based on it.
Unseen passages help improve reading speed, vocabulary, and thinking skills. They also prepare students to understand new topics quickly, which is useful in exams and real life.
There are mainly two types:
You can download unseen passage for Class 8 with answers PDF from educational websites or use practice books. Try reading one passage daily and answer the questions without help.
Spend about 10 to 15 minutes on one unseen passage. First, read the passage carefully. Then, answer the questions one by one. Don’t rush, but manage your time well.