RBSE Class 10 English Paper 2026 and Answer Key

RBSE Class 10 English Paper 2026 and Answer Key PDF : Here is the Question Paper PDF and complete solution to the RBSE CLASS 10 ENGLISH EXAM 2026 held on 12 February 2026.

RBSE Class 10 English Paper 2026 and Answer Key PDF

SECTION – A(READING)

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Of all the emotions which surged through me as I stood on the summit of Everest, looking over miles of panorama below us, the dominant one I think was humility. The physical in me seemed to say, “Thank God, it’s all over!” However instead of being jubilant, there was a tinge of sadness. Was it because I had already done the ‘ultimate’ in climbing and there would be nothing higher to climb and all roads hereafter would lead down?

By climbing the summit of Everest you are overwhelmed by a deep sense of joy and thankfulness. It is a joy which lasts a lifetime. The experience changes you completely. The man who has been to the mountains is never the same again. As I look back at life after climbing Everest I cannot help remarking about the other summit – the summit of the mind – no less formidable and no easier to climb.

i) Standing on Everest, the writer was [1]

A) Overjoyed B) Very sad

C) Jubilant and sad D) None of these

Answer:- C) Jubilant and sad

ii) The emotion that gripped him was [1]

A) Victory over hurdles B) Humility

Answer:- B) Humility

C) Greatness and self importance D) None of the above

iii) The joy that the writer feels by climbing the summit of Everest lasts [1]

A) a day B) a month

C) a year D) a lifetime

Answer:- D) a lifetime

iv) According to the Writer, what is ‘ultimate’ in climbing? [1]

A) climbing hills B) climbing high summits

C) climbing Everest D) none of the above

Answer:- C) climbing Everest

v) Which other summit is no less formidable and no easier to climb? [1]

A) The summit of aravali B) The summit of physical fitness

C) The summit of thought and imagination D) The summit of the mind

Answer:- D) The summit of the mind

vi) What changes you completely? [1]

A) Joy B) Experience

C) Sorrow D) Thankfulness

Answer:- B) Experience

vii) Find a word from the passage that means. [1]”The highest point of a mountain.”

A) Roads B) Hills

C) Summit D) Humility

Answer:- C) Summit

viii) Find the word from the passage that means the opposite of ‘Jubilant’. [1]

A) Sadness B) Joy

C) Dominant D) Thankfulness

Answer:- A) Sadness

2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below: [8×1=8]

The earth without water is difficult to imagine. It is believed that the life on earth began in water. Water covers nearly 70% of the globe, but most of it is salt water, that fills the ocean. In quantity, less than 3% of all the water on earth is fresh water, most of which lies frozen in Antarctica and Greenland in polar ice and unavailable to humanity. Less than 1% of all the water on earth is found in the form of rivers, fresh water lakes and in underground shallow aquifers. Water gives life to thirsty cities and dried crops and is used in industries but the amount of fresh water available on earth today is not more than what was available 2000 years ago. At that time the population was less than 3% of its current size. Water shortage is a routine feature today. Rising demands for water in agriculture, domestic sector and industry are difficult to be met. India receives more than 350 million hectare meters of rainfall every year. There is also a vast network of rivers, ponds and lakes but still there is a shortage of drinking water. It is shocking to note that Cherrapunji which is one of the world’s wettest places is facing a serious shortage of drinking water.

Today increasing pollution has also added itself to the growing shortage of water. Polluted water not only harms humans but also birds, fish and all other forms of life that need it for survival. For centuries, streams and rivers have been a place to dump wastes. Deforestation has ruined land and changed climates; causing less rain in some areas. In others, rain water runs so fast that little can be collected for use.

i) Where did life originate? [1]

Answer :- Life originated in water.

ii) Name some sources from where we get fresh water. [1]

Answer:- Sources of fresh water are rivers, fresh water lakes and underground shallow aquifers.

iii) What are the areas where the rising demands for water are difficult to be met? [1]

Answer:- Rising demands for water are difficult to be met in agriculture, domestic sector and industry.

iv) Where do we dump our waste? [1]

Answer:- We dump our waste in streams and rivers.

v) Which is the wettest place in India and what problem it is facing? [1]

Answer:- Cherrapunji is the wettest place in India and it is facing a serious shortage of drinking water.

vi) Which form of fresh water is unavailable to humanity? [1]

Answer:- Fresh water frozen in Antarctica and Greenland in polar ice is unavailable to humanity.

vii) Write the word from the passage that means similar to ‘Scarcity’. [1]

Answer:- Shortage

viii) Write the word from the passage which means opposite to ‘Driest’. [1]

Answer:- Wettest

SECTION – B(WRITING)

3. Imagine that you are a student of Class X-A and your sister is studying in X-B. Write an e-mail to the Principal of your school at principalgssabcd@gmail.com requesting him/her to change your section from X-A to X-B. [4]

Answer:-

To: principalgssabcd@gmail.com

Cc: 

Bcc: 

Subject: Request for Changing the Section from X-A to X-B

Dear Sir,

I am a student of Class X-A of our school. I would like to request you kindly to change my section from X-A to X-B.

My sister is currently studying in Class X-B. As both of us come to school together and help each other in studies, it will be very convenient for us if we are placed in the same section. This change will also help me improve my academic performance and maintain better focus on my studies.

I assure you that this change will not affect my discipline or studies in any way. I shall remain grateful to you for your kind consideration.

Thanking you.

Yours sincerely,

XYZ

Class X-A

Roll No. ___

OR

Suppose you are Kunal/Kamala studying in Udaipur. Your sister studying in Jaipur hasn’t scored good marks in 2nd semester and is feeling a little depressed. Write a letter encouraging her to do better in the next semester.

Answer:-

Udaipur

12 February 2026

My dear Sister,

I hope you are fine. I received your letter yesterday and came to know about your second-semester result. I understand that you are feeling sad and disappointed. Please do not lose heart. Low marks are not the end of life; they are only a stepping stone to success.

Remember, failure is the best teacher. Make a proper study timetable and follow it sincerely. Focus more on the subjects in which you scored less. Revise regularly and do not hesitate to ask your teachers for guidance. Along with studies, take care of your health and keep your mind fresh. A positive attitude works wonders.

Work hard with determination, and success will surely follow.

With lots of love and best wishes.

Yours lovingly,

Kunal / Kamala

4. Write a story with the help of the given outline in about 100 words. Also mention the title and the moral of the story. [4]

Once upon …….. a farmer …….. four sons …….. always quarrelsome …….. on his deathbed …….. calls his sons …….. gives each a bundle of sticks …….. all fail to break …….. untied the bundle …….. single stick …….. breaks easily …….. value of unity.

Answer:- The Value of Unity or Union is Strength 

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer who had four sons. They were always quarrelling among themselves. The farmer was very sad but helpless. When he was on his deathbed, he called his sons and gave each of them a bundle of sticks. He asked them to break it, but none of them could do so. Then he untied the bundle and gave them single sticks. Each son broke a stick easily. The farmer advised them to remain united. He told them that unity gives strength, while disunity leads to weakness.

Moral: Union is strength.

OR

A good boy …….. falls into bad company …….. disobeys his parents …….. father gives some good apples …….. after few days …….. no change …….. father gives one rotten apple …….. place with good apples …….. all good apples rotten …….. learns a lesson.

Answer:- Bad Company 

Once upon a time, there was a good boy who always obeyed his parents. One day, he fell into bad company and slowly began to disobey them. His father was worried and wanted to teach him a lesson. First, he gave his son some good apples and waited for a few days, but there was no change in the boy’s behaviour. Then the father placed one rotten apple among the good apples. After a few days, all the good apples became rotten. The boy understood that bad company can spoil even a good person and promised to change himself.

Moral: Bad company corrupts good character.

5. Write a paragraph in about 100 words on ‘My School’. [4]

(big building, garden, play ground, smart class, computer lab, good teachers, friendly environment)

Answer:- My School 

I read in Government Senior Secondary School – Dassusar. My school is a big and beautiful building situated in a peaceful area. It has a green garden with colourful flowers that makes the atmosphere fresh and pleasant. There is a large playground where students play games and do physical exercise every day. My school has smart classrooms with modern teaching aids which make learning interesting and easy. The computer lab is well-equipped and helps students learn technology. The teachers are well-qualified, kind, and hardworking. They guide us like friends and always encourage us. My school provides a friendly environment where students feel safe, happy, and motivated to learn.

OR

Write a paragraph in about 100 words on the picture given below.

[Image shows what appears to be a festival scene with people in traditional Indian dress]

Answer:- Deepawali – The Festival of Light 

Deepawali is one of the most important festivals of India. It is also called the festival of lights. It is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm all over the country. On this day, people clean and decorate their houses with lamps, candles, and colourful rangoli. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity. People wear new clothes, exchange sweets, and greet one another. Fireworks are also burst in the evening. Deepawali teaches us to remove darkness from our lives and follow the path of truth, goodness, and happiness.

SECTION – C(GRAMMAR)

6. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verbs given in the brackets: [4×1=4]

i) My father ________ (run) a mile everyday. [1]

Answer:- runs

ii) Raju ________ (play) in the ground while I was helping my mother in the kitchen. [1]

Answer:- was playing 

iii) We ________ (go) to Jaipur tomorrow. [1]

Answer:- shall go

iv) The thief ________ (escape) before the police arrived. [1]

Answer:- had escaped 

7. Fill in the blanks with a verb in agreement with its subject: [2×1=2]

i) Both Ram and Shyam ________ (is/are) playing outside. [1]

Answer:- are

ii) Either Sumit or Manish ________ (has/have) completed the work. [1]

Answer:- has

8. Combine the following sentences using the words given in the brackets: [2×1=2]

i) Mitali is hard-working. Mitali is intelligent. (Use “not only ….. but also”.) [1]

Answer:- Mitali is not only hard-working but also intelligent.

ii) Anil is a rich person. Anil is unhappy. (Use “but”.) [1]

Answer:- Anil is a rich but unhappy person.

9. Change the following sentence into passive voice: [1]

Indian girls cricket team won the world cup.

Answer:- The world cup was won by Indian girls cricket team.

10. Rewrite the following sentence changing it into indirect speech: [1]

The teacher said to the students, “The earth moves round the sun.” 

Answer:- The teacher told the students that the earth moves round the sun.

SECTION – D(TEXT BOOK)

11. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [6×1=6]

The young seagull was alone on his ledge. His two brothers and his sister had already flown away the day before. He had been afraid to fly with them. Somehow when he had taken a little run forward to the brink of the ledge and attempted to flap his wings he became afraid. The great expanse of sea stretched down beneath, and it was such a long way down. He felt certain that his wings would never support him; so he bent his head and ran away back to the little hole under the ledge where he slept at night.

i) Who was with the young seagull on his ledge? [1]

A) his parents B) his brother

C) his sister D) he was alone

Answer:- D) he was alone.

ii) What he had been afraid to do? [1]

A) to hunt B) to sleep alone

C) to fly D) to jump

Answer:- C) to fly 

iii) What was stretched down beneath his ledge? [1]

A) Desert B) Land

C) Forest D) Sea

Answer:- D) Sea

iv) What would not support him to fly? [1]

A) his legs B) his wings

C) both A) and B) D) none of the above

Answer:- B) his wings 

v) How many brothers and sisters the young seagull had? [1]

Answer:- The young seagull had two brothers and one sister.

vi) What happened when he attempted to fly? [1]

Answer:- When the young seagull tried to fly, he became terribly afraid.

OR

I finished my poem, and it was beautiful! It was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby ducklings who were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Luckily, Mr. Keesing took the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments, and to several other classes as well. Since then I’ve been allowed to talk and haven’t been assigned any extra homework. On the contrary, Mr. Keesing is always making jokes these days.

i) What was beautiful? [1]

A) The writer B) The poem

C) The mother duck D) None of the above

Answer:- B) The poem

ii) How many baby ducklings they had? [1]

A) One B) Two

C) Three D) Four

Answer:- C) Three

iii) By whom the baby ducklings were bitten to death? [1]

A) Father swan B) Mother duck

C) Mr. Keesing D) The writer

Answer:- A) Father swan

iv) What is Mr. Keesing always making these days? [1]

A) House B) Bridge

C) Jokes D) Roads

Answer:- C) Jokes

v) What did Mr. Keesing add to the poem? [1]

Answer:- Me. Keesing added his own comment to the poem.

vi) What did Mr. Keesing allow her to do? [1]

Answer:- Mr. Keesing allowed her to talk in the class.

12. Answer any three of the following four questions in about 20-30 words each: [3×2=6]

i) What did Lencho hope for? [A Letter to God] [2]

Answer:- Lencho hoped for a good rain as it was much needed for a good harvest.

ii) What ideals does he set out for the future of South Africa?[Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom] [2]

Answer:- Mandela sets out the ideals of removal of suffering of people. He pledges to liberate all South Africans from the continuing bondage of poverty.

iii) “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? [The Black Aeroplane] [2]

Answer:- The risk is flying the old Dakota aeroplane straight through the dangerous, black storm clouds. 

iv) What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about? [A Baker from Goa] [2]

Answer:- Elders in Goa are nostalgic about the “good old” Portuguese days, specifically remembering the traditional village baker known as the pader. 

13. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [1×3=3]

i) What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent? [Coorg] [3]

Answer:- The story of the Kodavu people’s descent in Coorg suggests they are descendants of Greeks or Arabs, stemming from a theory that Alexander the Great’s soldiers settled in the region after being unable to return home, intermarrying with locals and forming their distinct martial culture, evident in their traditional dress similar to Arab attire and their independent, brave nature. 

ii) What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details? [Madam Rides The Bus] [3]

Answer:- Valli discovered that the town was 6 miles away, the trip took 45 minutes, and the fare was 30 paise one way. She learned that by paying 60 paise total and staying on the bus, she could return home on the same trip. She found these details by listening to regular passengers and asking discreet questions. 

14. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [1×3=3]

i) Write the character sketch of Lomov. [The Proposal] [3]

Answer:- Lomov is a nervous and weak man. He suffers from heart trouble and high blood pressure. He is very particular about health and property matters. Lomov is practical, money minded, and fearful by nature. He comes to propose marriage, but starts quarrelling over land and dogs. He often faints during arguments. His behaviour creates humour and shows Chekhov’s comic purpose.

ii) At first, what does Chubukov suspect regarding Lomov’s reason for coming? What has Lomov actually come for? [The Proposal] [3]

Answer:- Chubukov initially suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money, largely due to his formal evening dress and hesitant behavior. In reality, Lomov has come to ask for the hand of his daughter, Natalya, in marriage. His true purpose is revealed later, causing a shift in attitude. 

15. Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow:

Did you finish your homework, Amanda?

Did you tidy your room, Amanda?

I thought I told you to clean your shoes, Amanda!

i) What is Amanda being asked to finish? [1]

A) Chocolate B) Homework

C) Meals D) None of the above

Answer:- B) Homework

ii) What Amanda was told to do? [2]

Answer:- Amanda was told to clean her shoes.

iii) Who do you think is speaking to Amanda? [2]

Answer:- I think Amanda’s mother is speaking to her.

OR

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbour and city

on silent haunches.

i) What does ‘it’ in the third line refer to? [1]

A) Cat B) Fog

C) Poet D) Dog

Answer:- D) Fog

ii) What does the poet think the fog is like? [2]

Answer:- The poet thinks the fog is like a cat that comes silently so that no one can sense its arrival. 

iii) How does the fog come? [2]

Answer:- The fog comes quietly and stealthily.

16. Answer any two of the following three questions in about 20 – 30 words each: [2×2=4]

i) What does the dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree stand for? [Dust of Snow] [2]

Answer:- The dust of snow that the crow shakes off a hemlock tree means passing through the sad and depressing moments, the poet is entering into the time full of joy and optimism.

ii) What suggestions does the poet give for identifying the tiger?[How to Tell Wild Animals] [2]

Answer:- When while roaming we come across a wild beast that is yellow in colour with black stripes, it is a Bengal tiger. We can identify it when it eats us.

iii) Why doesn’t the poet offer the boy money to buy another ball?[The Ball Poem] [2]

Answer:- The poet wants that the boy should realise himself that gains and losses are part and parcel of life. Therefore, he neither interferes with boy’s ruminations nor offers him money to buy another ball.

17. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [1×3=3]

i) Where are the trees in the poem? What do their roots, their leaves and their twigs do? [The Trees] [3]

Answer:- The trees are located inside the poet’s house, specifically in the veranda. The roots work all night to disengage from the veranda floor cracks, the leaves strain toward the glass to break free, and the twigs become stiff from the exertion of trying to move outdoors. 

ii) Why did custard cry for a nice safe cage? Why is the dragon called “Cowardly dragon”? [The Tale of Custard the Dragon] [3]

Answer:- Belinda always teased Custard in an unmerciful manner. Other pets in the house also laughed at him. They would rudely call him Percival (a character in old romances known for his childish habits). This was the reason why Custard wanted to live alone and cried for a nice safe cage. But for this demand of the poor dragon, Ink, Blink and Mustard called him ‘cowardly dragon’. They said that he was behaving in a childish manner.

18. Answer any two of the following three questions in about 20 – 30 words each:[2×2=4]

i) Why is Mrs. Pumphrey worried about Tricki? [A Triumph of Surgery] [2]

Answer:- Pumphrey is worried about Tricki because he would eat nothing and spend all his time lying on the rug and panting. He refused to eat his favourite dishes and would have bouts of vomiting. 

ii) What is he “a fairly successful hand” at? [The Thief’s Story] [2]

Answer:- He had “a fairly successful hand” at stealing and robbing people. By this he meant that he was an experienced thief who was very swift and clean in his work.

iii) How is Ausable different from other secret agents?[The Midnight Visitor] [2]

Answer:- Most of the secret agents are mysterious people. They keep pistols with them. But Ausable is quite different from them.He is fat and looks quite ordinary in his appearance.

19. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [1×3=3]

i) “Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Explain. [Footprints Without Feet] [3]

Answer:- Griffin was an amazing scientist, but he was also a lawless person. He set the home of his property owner on fire and got away without being seen by just removing his clothes. Consequently, he became a homeless wanderer.

ii) What kind of a person is Mme Loisel? Why is she always unhappy?[The Necklace] [3]

Answer:- Mme. Matilda Loisel is a pretty, young woman born into a family of clerks who believes she is entitled to a life of luxury, beauty, and high society. She is perpetually unhappy because she is deeply dissatisfied with her modest, middle-class life, constantly craving riches, fine clothing, and social recognition. 

20. Choose the correct answer: [5×1=5]

i) How many daughters Ramlal had? [Bholi] [1]A) One B) Two C) Three D) Four

Answer:- D) Four 

ii) Who was the Commander-in-Chief of Mars Space Control?[The Book that Saved the Earth] [1]

A) Noodle B) Lieutenant Iota

C) Great and Mighty Think-Tank D) Captain Omega

Answer:- C) Great and Mighty Think-Tank

iii) Richard H. Ebright was encouraged to become a scientist by his[The Making of a Scientist] [1]

A) Mother B) Father

C) Friend D) None of the above

Answer:- A) Mother 

iv) What does Horace Danby like to collect? [A Question of Trust] [1]

A) Coins B) Expensive books

C) Stamps D) Locks

Answer:- B) Expensive books

v) Who was Mr. Herriot? [A Triumph of Surgery] [1]

A) Teacher B) Policeman

C) Veterinary Surgeon D) Advocate

Answer:- C) Veterinary Surgeon

RBSE Class 10 English Question Paper 2026 : Click Here