English Class X Board PYQs | Important Long-Answer Questions | 2025-26

Essential Questions & Model Answers for Board Examination 2025–26

Explore CBSE Class 10 English long answer questions with model answers on Glimpses of India, The Trees, A Tiger in the Zoo, and more. Well-structured, exam-oriented explanations to help students score better.

Q1. Compare and contrast the commonality of themes in The Ball Poem and Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom.

Both The Ball Poem and Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom deal with loss and how it leads to growth and maturity. They show that suffering, though painful, helps a person understand life more deeply.

In The Ball Poem, the boy loses his ball, which is his first experience of loss. The poet says the ball will not come back, teaching the boy that some losses in life are permanent. The boy learns to stand quietly and accept responsibility. Similarly, Nelson Mandela experiences a much deeper loss. Due to apartheid, he loses his freedom, family life, and normal childhood joys. He spends many years in prison but learns courage, patience, and forgiveness. He realises that freedom is indivisible and that suffering can shape strong character.

Thus, while the boy’s loss is small and personal and Mandela’s loss is great and national, both learn important life lessons through suffering. Both texts show that loss helps people grow emotionally and morally.

Q2. Amanda and Valli both represent a longing for freedom. Examine the observation with reference to the two texts.

Ans: Amanda and Valli both show a strong desire for freedom, though their ways of expressing it are different. Their stories reflect the natural wish of children to live independently and make their own choices.

In the poem Amanda!, Amanda feels troubled by constant instructions like “Don’t bite your nails” and “Don’t slouch.” She escapes into her imagination and dreams of being a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel. These images show her desire for peace, silence, and emotional freedom from control.

In contrast, Valli in Madam Rides the Bus wants real freedom. She carefully saves money, plans her journey, and travels alone on a bus to the town. She refuses help and proudly behaves like an adult, showing confidence and independence.

While Amanda seeks freedom through imagination, Valli achieves it through action. Both characters clearly represent a strong longing for freedom and self-identity.

Q3. Explore the contrasting images of the tiger in A Tiger in the Zoo and How to Tell Wild Animals.

Ans: The tiger is presented in very different ways in the two poems to convey different ideas. One poem is serious and sympathetic, while the other is humorous and playful.

In A Tiger in the Zoo, the tiger is shown as powerful but helpless. He walks angrily in his cage and ignores visitors. The poet says he should be hunting deer near water holes, but instead he is locked behind bars. This shows loss of freedom and cruelty of captivity. The tiger symbolises strength trapped by humans.

On the other hand, in How to Tell Wild Animals, the tiger is described humorously. The poet jokes that if a tiger eats you, you can identify it by its stripes. Though funny, the poem still shows the tiger as dangerous and fierce.

Thus, one tiger creates sympathy and sadness, while the other creates laughter and caution. Both images together highlight the tiger’s power in different contexts.

Q4. Analyse and evaluate the role of faith in A Letter to God and The Sermon at Benares.

Ans: Faith plays an important role in both texts, but it is presented in very different ways. One shows blind faith, while the other shows enlightened understanding.

In A Letter to God, Lencho has complete faith in God. After his crops are destroyed by hailstorm, he writes a letter to God asking for money. He believes God will surely help him. However, when he receives less money, he suspects the post office employees and calls them “crooks.” This shows that his faith is simple but narrow and unrealistic.

In The Sermon at Benares, Buddha teaches Kisa Gotami that death is universal. When she fails to find a house where no one has died, she understands the truth of life and accepts her loss.

Lencho’s faith is blind and childish, while Buddha teaches faith based on wisdom and acceptance. The texts show that true faith lies in understanding reality, not denying it.

Q5. Comment on the reactions and feelings of Lencho and Nelson Mandela when they faced challenges in their lives.

Ans: Lencho and Nelson Mandela face hardships in life, but their reactions reveal very different attitudes and levels of maturity.

Lencho faces disaster when a hailstorm destroys his crops. He reacts by placing full faith in God and writes a letter asking for money. However, when he receives less money, he becomes angry and doubts human honesty. He does not feel grateful to the post office employees and instead accuses them of theft. This shows his emotional immaturity.

In contrast, Nelson Mandela faces severe oppression, imprisonment, and discrimination due to apartheid. Despite suffering, he does not become bitter. He learns that courage means conquering fear and believes in forgiveness and equality.

Lencho responds with suspicion, while Mandela responds with wisdom and compassion. Their reactions show that true strength lies in understanding and patience during difficult times.

Q6. Discuss how the writers use language to create humour in The Tale of Custard the Dragon and The Proposal.

Ans: Both The Tale of Custard the Dragon and The Proposal use humour to entertain readers while highlighting human weaknesses. The writers use exaggeration, contrast, and funny situations to create laughter.

In The Tale of Custard the Dragon, humour is created through contrast. Custard is mocked for being cowardly, while Belinda and the others boast of bravery. However, when the pirate attacks, Custard alone fights and defeats him. This sudden reversal creates comic effect.

In The Proposal, humour arises from exaggerated arguments. Instead of discussing marriage, Lomov and Natalya fight over land and oxen meadows. Lomov’s nervousness and fainting fits further add to the humour.

In both texts, funny language and situations expose foolish pride and human behaviour. The humour makes the message enjoyable and memorable for readers.

Q7. Explore the theme of loss as it is depicted in both The Ball Poem and The Sermon at Benares, highlighting the inevitable nature of this aspect in life.

Ans: Both The Ball Poem and The Sermon at Benares focus on loss as an unavoidable part of human life. They teach that suffering and separation are natural experiences that everyone must face.

In The Ball Poem, the boy loses his ball, which represents his first real experience of loss. The poet says that the ball will not return, showing that some losses in life are permanent. The boy stands silently and learns to accept responsibility and emotional pain without complaint.

Similarly, in The Sermon at Benares, Kisa Gotami suffers the loss of her only son. She believes that someone can bring him back to life. However, when she fails to find a house where no one has died, she realises that death is universal. Buddha teaches her that grief is common to all and cannot be escaped.

Both texts show that loss cannot be avoided, but understanding and acceptance help reduce suffering. They encourage emotional maturity by accepting the truth of life.

Q8. Analyse the similarities and differences between the young seagull from Two Stories about Flying and Lencho from A Letter to God, and justify the role of faith in adverse situations.

Ans: The young seagull and Lencho both face difficult situations in life and depend on faith to overcome fear and hardship. However, the nature of their faith and outcomes differ.

The young seagull is afraid to fly because he doubts his ability. He believes his wings will not support him. His faith develops slowly when hunger forces him to jump, trusting his instincts. Once he flies, his confidence grows through experience.

Lencho, on the other hand, shows blind faith in God. After his crops are destroyed by hailstorm, he writes a letter to God asking for money, believing firmly that God will help him. However, when he receives less money, he becomes angry and doubts human honesty.

Both characters rely on faith during adversity, but the seagull’s faith leads to growth and independence, while Lencho’s faith remains narrow. The comparison shows that faith is powerful when combined with understanding and effort.

Q9. Self-doubt and fear often act as barriers to success, while curiosity leads to learning. Justify with reference to His First Flight and Madam Rides the Bus.

Ans: Both His First Flight and Madam Rides the Bus show how fear and curiosity shape success in life. They present contrasting attitudes that lead to different outcomes.

In His First Flight, the young seagull is afraid to fly because of self-doubt. He believes his wings will not support him and watches his siblings fly confidently. His fear becomes a barrier to success until hunger forces him to take a leap of faith. Once he jumps, he discovers that his wings can carry him, and his fear disappears.

In contrast, Valli in Madam Rides the Bus is driven by curiosity. She eagerly observes bus timings, saves money, and plans her journey to the town. Her curiosity helps her learn about the world and gain confidence.

Thus, the texts show that fear delays growth, while curiosity encourages learning and independence. Overcoming fear and nurturing curiosity are essential for success.

Q10. Examine the role of Nature in the poems The Dust of Snow and Fog.

Ans: Both The Dust of Snow and Fog show how nature influences human emotions and understanding in quiet but meaningful ways. Nature is not shown as grand or dramatic but as a subtle force that changes perspective.

In The Dust of Snow, a small incident changes the poet’s mood. When a crow shakes snow from a hemlock tree, the falling snow touches the poet. This simple natural act lifts his sadness and saves the rest of his day from being wasted. The crow and the hemlock, usually seen as symbols of negativity, bring positivity and emotional healing.

In Fog, nature is presented as calm and mysterious. The fog comes silently like a cat, covers the city and harbour, and then moves away without noise. This shows nature’s quiet power and unpredictability.

Both poems highlight that nature, even in ordinary moments, can affect human feelings and teach acceptance and reflection.

Q11. How does literature like ‘A Baker from Goa,’ ‘Coorg,’ and ‘Tea from Assam’ promote tourism and awareness of regional cultures and traditions?

Ans: Literature plays an important role in promoting tourism by presenting vivid pictures of places, people, and traditions.

 In A Baker from Goa, the narrator describes the traditional Goan baker, bread-making customs, and Portuguese influence. These details help readers understand Goa’s unique culture and attract tourists interested in heritage and local life.

Coorg presents the region as a land of coffee plantations, rainforests, wildlife, and adventure sports like rafting and trekking. The description of its natural beauty and brave people encourages eco-tourism and cultural tourism. 

Similarly, Tea from Assam highlights vast tea gardens, the process of tea cultivation, and the importance of tea in daily life. Rajvir’s excitement makes readers curious about visiting Assam. Together, these texts create interest, pride, and awareness about India’s diversity, traditions, and landscapes, motivating readers to explore these regions personally.

Q12. Examine how ‘The Trees’ and ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ highlight the importance of freedom and the desire to break free from dominance.

Ans: Both The Trees and A Tiger in the Zoo strongly convey the theme of freedom and resistance against domination.

 In The Trees, the poet shows trees breaking free from houses and moving back into the forest. This movement symbolises nature’s rebellion against human control and suggests that confinement is unnatural. The trees struggle all night to escape, reflecting a strong desire for independence. 

In A Tiger in the Zoo, the tiger is trapped in a cage, pacing angrily and silently. Though powerful, he is helpless behind bars and unable to live his natural life of hunting freely in the jungle. His quiet rage shows suffering caused by captivity. 

Both poems criticise human dominance over nature and animals. They emphasise that freedom is essential for dignity and natural existence, and that any form of control leads to pain and unrest.

Q13. “The inherent instinct for freedom is a fundamental trait in all living creatures.”Justify this statement with reference to Mijbil the Otter and A Tiger in the Zoo.

In Mijbil the Otter, Mijbil’s love for freedom is shown through his playful and curious nature. He invents games, plays with water taps, and enjoys swimming, showing his natural instinct to live freely. His restlessness during travel and excitement in open spaces reflect this desire.

Similarly, in A Tiger in the Zoo, the tiger longs for freedom. Though silent in the cage, his eyes follow visitors, and he dreams of roaming freely in the jungle, hunting deer near the water hole. Both texts highlight that confinement suppresses natural instincts, while freedom is essential for a fulfilled life.

Q14. Both Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Trees explore themes of transformation, liberation, and the power to change. Examine the commonality of themes in both works.

Both works highlight the journey from oppression to freedom. In Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela describes South Africa’s transformation from apartheid to democracy. He stresses that freedom is indivisible and liberation restores human dignity to both the oppressed and the oppressor.

Similarly, in The Trees, the trees break free from confinement inside houses and move towards the forest, symbolising liberation. Their movement represents change and resistance against oppression. In both texts, transformation comes through struggle, and liberation leads to renewal, hope, and harmony, emphasising the power of change in both human society and nature.

Q15. “The Book that Saved the Earth” communicates the idea that misinterpretation of cultural disparities among different groups can lead to misunderstandings and disputes. From the play, discuss methods to prevent such confusion and conflicts, ensuring the preservation of peace and harmony.

Answer (120 words):The Book that Saved the Earth shows how misunderstanding another culture can create fear and conflict. The Martians misinterpret Mother Goose rhymes as dangerous codes and plan to invade Earth. This confusion arises because they judge Earth’s culture without understanding its context. The play suggests that open communication is essential to prevent such conflicts. Asking questions, listening patiently, and understanding cultural differences can avoid wrong conclusions. The Martians could have verified the purpose of the book instead of reacting impulsively. Respect for other cultures and avoiding assumptions are also important. Education about different traditions and values promotes tolerance. The play humorously teaches that peaceful dialogue, cultural awareness, and careful interpretation can prevent unnecessary disputes and help maintain peace and harmony among different groups.

Q16. Analyse the similarities and differences between the young seagull from “Two Stories about Flying” and Lencho from “A Letter to God”, and explain the role faith plays in facing challenging and adverse situations in life.

Answer: Both the young seagull and Lencho face difficult situations and rely on faith to overcome them, though in different ways. The young seagull suffers from fear and self-doubt. He believes his wings will not support him and hesitates to fly. His faith develops when hunger forces him to jump, trusting his natural instinct, which finally leads to success and confidence.

Lencho, on the other hand, shows blind faith in God. After the hailstorm destroys his crop, he writes a letter to God asking for money, firmly believing he will be helped. However, when he receives less money, he becomes suspicious and angry. Thus, while the seagull’s faith leads to growth through effort and experience, Lencho’s faith remains unquestioning and narrow. The texts show that faith is powerful when supported by understanding and action.

Q17. Discuss how the writers use language to create humour in the poem “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” and the play “The Proposal”.

Answer : Both writers use language creatively to produce humour through contrast, exaggeration, and irony. In The Tale of Custard the Dragon, humour arises from ironic contrast. Custard is called cowardly, while Belinda and the pets boast of bravery. However, when the pirate attacks, Custard alone fights and defeats him, reversing expectations in a funny way. The repetitive phrases like “realio, trulio” and exaggerated descriptions add to the comic effect. In The Proposal, humour is created through exaggerated dialogue and absurd situations. Lomov and Natalya argue over trivial matters like oxen meadows and grasslands during a marriage proposal. Lomov’s nervous speeches, fainting fits, and Natasha’s dramatic reactions make the language humorous. Thus, both texts use playful language and exaggerated situations to highlight human foolishness and create laughter.

Q18. Why did Hari Singh choose to go back to Anil in the end? (The Thief’s Story)

Answer: Hari Singh chose to go back to Anil because he realised the true value of trust, kindness, and education. After stealing the money, he felt uneasy and guilty, as Anil had trusted him completely and treated him with affection. Hari understood that stealing the money would give him temporary gain, but staying with Anil would give him something far more valuable—education and a chance to lead an honest life. Anil’s plan to teach him to read and write made Hari aware that learning would help him escape a life of crime. The calm way in which Anil accepted him back without questioning showed generosity and forgiveness. This silent trust deeply moved Hari and encouraged him to reform himself and choose honesty over theft.

Q19. The play ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’ uses humour and misunderstandings between the Martians and Earthlings to explore the themes of perception and cultural differences. Comment.

Answer The Book that Saved the Earth uses humour to highlight how perception and cultural differences can lead to serious misunderstandings. The Martians, led by Think-Tank, misinterpret simple nursery rhymes from Mother Goose as secret codes and weapons manuals. For instance, “Humpty Dumpty” is seen as a dangerous Earth weapon, and “Mistress Mary” is taken as proof of Earth’s violent nature. This comic misunderstanding arises because the Martians judge Earth’s culture without understanding its context.

The exaggerated fear and foolish conclusions create humour, but also convey a serious message. The play shows that lack of cultural awareness and wrong perception can lead to unnecessary fear and conflict. Through humour, the writer suggests that open-mindedness, proper interpretation, and respect for cultural differences are essential for peaceful coexistence.

Q20. Both ‘Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela and ‘The Trees’ by Adrienne Rich explore themes of transformation, liberation, and the power to change. Examine the commonality of themes in both the works.

Answer: Both Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The Trees highlight the themes of transformation and liberation from oppression.

In Mandela’s narrative, one instance of transformation is when he says he was not born with a hunger to be free but gradually realised that his freedom and that of his people were taken away because of apartheid. Another instance is his statement that “the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed,” showing moral and psychological transformation.

Similarly, in The Trees, liberation is shown when the trees “break out of the house” and move towards the forest, symbolising escape from human confinement. Another instance is when the roots “work all night to disengage themselves,” highlighting struggle before freedom.

Both texts show that liberation requires resistance, patience, and inner change before external freedom is achieved.

Q21. Analyse the similarities and differences between the young seagull from “Two Stories about Flying” and Lencho from “A Letter to God”, and explain the role faith plays in facing challenging and adverse situations in life.

Answer: Both the young seagull and Lencho face difficult situations and depend on faith to overcome them, though in different ways.

The young seagull is paralysed by fear and self-doubt. He believes his wings will not support him and refuses to fly, even when his siblings do. His faith develops gradually when hunger forces him to jump, trusting his natural instinct, and he successfully flies.

Lencho, on the other hand, shows absolute faith in God after his crops are destroyed by hail. He writes a letter asking for money, believing God will surely help him. However, when he receives less money, he becomes suspicious and angry.

Thus, while the seagull’s faith grows through experience and effort, Lencho’s faith is blind. The texts show that faith is most effective when combined with understanding and action.

Q22. Analyse and evaluate the role of faith in “A Letter to God” and “The Sermon at Benares”.

Answer: In “A Letter to God”, faith is shown through Lencho’s unquestioning belief in God. After his crops are destroyed by hail, he writes a letter to God asking for help, showing complete trust that God will respond. His faith gives him strength and hope in despair, though it also makes him blind to human kindness.

In “The Sermon at Benares”, faith is more philosophical. Kisa Gotami approaches the Buddha with faith in his wisdom. Through his teaching, her faith helps her understand the universal truth of death and overcome personal grief. Thus, while Lencho’s faith is emotional and literal, Kisa Gotami’s faith leads to wisdom, acceptance, and inner peace.

Q23. Explore the contrasting images of the tiger in ‘A Tiger in the Zoo’ and the tiger in ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’.

Ans: The tiger is presented in contrasting ways in A Tiger in the Zoo and How to Tell Wild Animals. In A Tiger in the Zoo, the tiger symbolises strength trapped by captivity. He paces “the few steps of his cage” in silent anger and ignores visitors, showing loss of freedom and dignity. The poet contrasts this with the tiger’s natural life, where he should be hunting deer near water holes. This portrayal creates sympathy and highlights the cruelty of confinement.

In contrast, How to Tell Wild Animals presents the tiger humorously. The poet jokingly says that if a tiger eats you, you can identify it by its stripes. Though comic, the tiger is shown as fierce and dangerous. Thus, one poem is serious and reflective, while the other is light-hearted and satirical, offering two very different images of the tiger.

Q24. Analyse and evaluate the role of faith in “A Letter to God” and “The Sermon at Benares”.

Answer:  In “A Letter to God”, faith is shown through Lencho’s unquestioning belief in God. After his crops are destroyed by hail, he writes a letter to God asking for help, showing complete trust that God will respond. His faith gives him strength and hope in despair, though it also makes him blind to human kindness.

In “The Sermon at Benares”, faith is more philosophical. Kisa Gotami approaches the Buddha with faith in his wisdom. Through his teaching, her faith helps her understand the universal truth of death and overcome personal grief. Thus, while Lencho’s faith is emotional and literal, Kisa Gotami’s faith leads to wisdom, acceptance, and inner peace.

Q25.  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 and Valli both represent a strong longing for freedom, though they express it in different ways. In the poem Amanda!, Amanda feels burdened by constant instructions and restrictions from adults. She escapes into her imagination, dreaming of being a mermaid, an orphan, or Rapunzel, which shows her desire for emotional freedom, peace, and independence. Her fantasies help her escape control and loneliness.

Valli, in Madam Rides the Bus, longs for physical freedom and real-life experience. Her wish to ride the bus to the town reflects curiosity, courage, and independence. She carefully saves money, plans her journey, and refuses help to prove her self-reliance. While Amanda seeks freedom through imagination, Valli achieves it through action. Both texts highlight the universal desire of young minds to break free from limitations and assert individuality.

Q26. In ‘The Ball Poem’, Berryman explores the themes of loss, growing up, and transformation. Nelson Mandela also experienced loss of freedom and suffering along with his countrymen during his growing years on the basis of race and colour. Compare and contrast the commonality of themes in both the texts.

Answer Both The Ball Poem and Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom highlight how loss leads to maturity and inner transformation.

In The Ball Poem, the boy loses his ball, which symbolises his first experience of loss. The poet explains that the boy learns to accept responsibility and understands that some losses are permanent, marking a step towards growing up.

Similarly, Mandela experiences the loss of personal freedom due to apartheid. He is denied basic rights because of his colour and suffers imprisonment and separation from family. However, this suffering transforms him into a strong, compassionate leader.

 While the boy’s loss is personal and symbolic, Mandela’s loss is social and political. Both texts show that loss, though painful, plays an essential role in shaping character and maturity.