How many passages come in CBSE Class 10 English reading section?

Two passages — one discursive (prose/opinion) and one case-based (with a graph, table or chart) — each followed by objective and short-answer questions.

Should I read the passage or the questions first?

Skim the questions first so you know what to look for, then read the passage. This 'reading with purpose' helps you locate answers far faster.

Do I lose marks for writing too much in a short answer?

You won't be penalised for a correct point, but long, unfocused answers waste time and risk including a wrong detail. Keep short answers to one or two precise sentences.

How should I handle vocabulary-in-context questions?

Find the word in the passage, read the full sentence, and pick the meaning that fits that sentence — the context overrides any other dictionary meaning you might know.

CBSE Class 10 English Language · Chapter 1

Reading Comprehension (Unseen Passages)

The answers are already in the passage — your job is to locate them

Summary

The reading section opens the CBSE Class 10 English paper and is a high-scoring zone because every answer is sitting in the text in front of you. The paper sets one discursive passage (an opinion/factual prose piece) and one case-based passage (built around a graph, table, chart or data), each followed by a mix of multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions.

Marks are awarded purely for accuracy — picking the exactly correct option, or writing a precise short answer that matches what the passage says. There are no 'format' or 'expression' marks here, so a careful reader who quotes and paraphrases correctly can score very close to full marks.

Because this is a comprehension test and not a memory test, the skill being examined is your ability to scan, locate the relevant line, and answer without adding your own opinion. Manage your time and these become some of the easiest marks in the paper.

Key points to remember

Read the questions first, then read the passage with those questions in mind — you read with purpose, not blindly.
For factual/direct questions, underline the line in the passage that holds the answer before you write.
For 'which of the following' MCQs, eliminate the clearly wrong options first, then choose between the remaining two.
For vocabulary questions (meaning/synonym/antonym), use the sentence around the word to fix its meaning in context.
For inference/'the author suggests' questions, base the answer on the text — never on your personal opinion.
Answer short-answer questions in your own words where asked, in one or two clear sentences; do not copy whole chunks.
For the case-based/data passage, read the heading, axis labels and units of the graph/table before attempting the items.
Keep an eye on the clock — spend the first 1-2 minutes scanning, then answer in passage order, and never leave an MCQ blank.

Important questions (board pattern)

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.

Common exam traps

Answering from general knowledge or opinion instead of from the passage — only the text counts.
Choosing an MCQ option that is 'true in real life' but not what the passage actually states.
Copying long sentences when the question says 'in your own words', which loses marks for paraphrasing.
Misreading the graph/table in the case-based passage — confusing units, axes, or rows and columns.

Frequently asked questions

How many passages come in CBSE Class 10 English reading section?: Two passages — one discursive (prose/opinion) and one case-based (with a graph, table or chart) — each followed by objective and short-answer questions.
Should I read the passage or the questions first?: Skim the questions first so you know what to look for, then read the passage. This 'reading with purpose' helps you locate answers far faster.
Do I lose marks for writing too much in a short answer?: You won't be penalised for a correct point, but long, unfocused answers waste time and risk including a wrong detail. Keep short answers to one or two precise sentences.
How should I handle vocabulary-in-context questions?: Find the word in the passage, read the full sentence, and pick the meaning that fits that sentence — the context overrides any other dictionary meaning you might know.