Important Questions with Answers
29 board-pattern questions across 4 sections, each with a pointer on how to frame a full-marks answer.
The Language part of the paper — reading, writing and grammar — is the most format-driven and predictable section there is, which makes it the easiest place to lock in marks. These are the highest-value tasks to rehearse, each with a pointer on exactly how the marks are awarded.
Most frequently repeated
- 5 marksWrite a letter to the Editor of a national daily drawing attention to frequent and prolonged power cuts in your locality during summer, and suggesting measures. (100–120 words)
Formal Letter WritingHow to answer: Use the full formal-letter format: sender's address, date, receiver's designation, subject line, salutation, a three-paragraph body (problem – effects – suggestion) and 'Yours faithfully' with name. Marks split as format, content and expression — so keep paragraphs organised and grammar clean.
- 5 marksWrite a letter placing an order for school stationery (notebooks, files, pens, chart paper) for the new session, mentioning quantity and requesting prompt delivery. (100–120 words)
Formal Letter WritingHow to answer: Follow the order-letter format with a clear subject line and a neat itemised list of goods with quantities. Score full marks by covering all content points, stating delivery terms and keeping a courteous, error-free formal tone.
- 5 marksA bar graph shows the percentage of students opting for different co-curricular activities. Write an analytical paragraph interpreting the data. (100–120 words)
Analytical Paragraph WritingHow to answer: Open with a topic sentence stating what the graph shows, present the data logically (highest to lowest) using comparison words (while, whereas, more than, the least), and close with a concluding sentence. Interpret rather than copy every figure.
- 5 marksA table shows the modes of transport students use to reach school. Write an analytical paragraph based on it. (100–120 words)
Analytical Paragraph WritingHow to answer: Begin with an introductory sentence naming the data, describe and compare the figures in connected sentences (not bullet points), and end with an inference. Use varied linkers and a consistent tense; stay within the word limit.
- 1 markFill in the blank: By the time the firefighters arrived, the building ______ completely burnt down. (has / had / was having / have)
GrammarHow to answer: Choose 'had' — the past perfect is needed because the burning was completed before another past action (the arrival). Identify the earlier of two past events to pick the tense.
- 1 markReport: The student replied that ______ (he / be / unwell / the previous day).
GrammarHow to answer: Write 'he had been unwell the previous day.' Back-shift the tense (was → had been) and change time references ('yesterday' → 'the previous day') as required in reported speech.
- 1 markIdentify the error and correct it: 'She is one of the most brilliant student in the class.'
GrammarHow to answer: Incorrect: 'student'; correction: 'students'. After 'one of the + superlative', a plural noun is always required. Present the answer as incorrect word / correction.
- 1 markFill in the blank with the correct preposition: Students are to assemble in the auditorium ______ 9 a.m. sharp. (in / at / on / by)
GrammarHow to answer: Choose 'at' — it is used with exact clock times. Match the preposition to the type of time or place reference.
- 10 marksRead the unseen discursive/factual passage and answer the objective questions that follow (inference, vocabulary, main idea, detail).
Reading ComprehensionHow to answer: This passage carries about 10 marks across roughly 10 one-mark objective questions. Locate the exact supporting line before answering, attempt every sub-part, and for vocabulary questions read the full sentence to judge meaning in context.
- 10 marksRead the case-based passage (with a chart or data input) and answer the questions, including those interpreting the data.
Reading ComprehensionHow to answer: This case-based passage carries about 10 marks over roughly 10 one-mark questions, some referring to the visual. Read the data carefully, answer strictly from the information given (not outside knowledge), and attempt all sub-questions since each is scored independently.
Chapter-wise question bank
Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passages)Formal Letter WritingAnalytical Paragraph WritingGrammar — Tenses, Modals, Determiners, Concord & Reported Speech
Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passages)
- 10 marksRead the given discursive passage and answer the multiple-choice and short-answer questions that follow.
How to answer: Typically a 10-mark passage split across MCQs and short answers; locate each answer in the text, pick the exact option, and keep short answers to the point.
- 10 marksBased on the case-based passage with the accompanying graph/table, answer the questions on the data shown.
How to answer: Read the title, axis labels and units first; quote the exact figure or trend the question asks for and do not confuse rows with columns.
- 1 markFind the word in the passage which means the same as the given word (vocabulary in context).
How to answer: Locate the referenced paragraph/line, then choose the synonym that fits the sentence's meaning — context decides, not the dictionary alone.
- 2 marksWhat does the author want to convey through the passage? / What can be inferred from paragraph 3?
How to answer: Answer strictly from the text; state the author's point in your own words and avoid adding personal views or outside knowledge.
- 1 markState whether the given statement is true or false based on the passage, and justify briefly.
How to answer: Match the statement against the passage line; if asked to justify, point to the supporting detail.
Formal Letter Writing
- 5 marksWrite a letter to the editor of a newspaper about the growing problem of plastic waste in your city.
How to answer: Use the full formal format; cover the problem, its effects, and a clear suggestion; keep it to the word limit and a formal tone.
- 5 marksWrite a letter of complaint to a shopkeeper about a defective product you purchased.
How to answer: State the product and date of purchase, the defect, the inconvenience caused, and the exact action you want (replacement/refund).
- 5 marksWrite a letter to the Municipal Commissioner regarding poor sanitation in your locality.
How to answer: Open with the issue, give specific details, and end with the action requested and an expected timeframe.
- 5 marksWrite a letter of enquiry to a coaching institute asking about its courses, fees and timings.
How to answer: List your specific queries clearly in the body and request a prompt reply; keep the tone polite and businesslike.
Analytical Paragraph Writing
- 5 marksThe given bar graph shows the number of books sold by a shop over five years. Write an analytical paragraph interpreting the data.
How to answer: State what the graph shows, describe the overall trend, support with the highest/lowest years, and close with the general pattern — one paragraph, objective tone.
- 5 marksStudy the pie chart showing how a student spends a typical day and write an analytical paragraph.
How to answer: Identify the largest and smallest segments, compare key proportions, and avoid adding personal judgement on how time 'should' be spent.
- 5 marksThe table shows rainfall recorded in four cities across three months. Write an analytical paragraph based on it.
How to answer: Compare cities and months, highlight the highest and lowest readings, and keep the tense consistent throughout.
- 5 marksUsing the clues/cue given, write an analytical paragraph on the topic provided.
How to answer: Develop every clue into the paragraph, maintain a logical flow from one point to the next, and keep the tone formal and analytical.
Grammar — Tenses, Modals, Determiners, Concord & Reported Speech
- 1 markFill in the blank: She ______ (live) in Delhi since 2015.
How to answer: The time marker 'since' signals the present perfect/present perfect continuous — write 'has been living' (or 'has lived'); match the tense to the clue.
- 1 markFill the blank using the correct modal: You ______ wear a helmet while riding a bike (obligation).
How to answer: Obligation calls for 'must' (or 'have to'); pick the modal by its function, not by sound.
- 1 markFill in the blank with the correct determiner: He is ______ honest man, so everyone trusts him.
How to answer: 'Honest' begins with a vowel sound (the 'h' is silent), so the article is 'an' — judge by sound, not spelling.
- 1 markReport the following: Rahul said to me, 'I am writing a letter now.'
How to answer: Reported speech: 'Rahul told me that he was writing a letter then.' — shift the tense back, change the pronoun, and 'now' to 'then'.
- 1 markCorrect the concord error: One of the students have not submitted the assignment.
How to answer: 'One of the...' takes a singular verb, so 'have' becomes 'has'; the subject is 'one', not 'students'.
- 1 markTransform into reported speech: She asked, 'Are you coming to the party?'
How to answer: Use 'asked if/whether', keep statement word order and drop the question mark: 'She asked whether I was coming to the party.'