RBSE Class 10th 2026 ENGLISH-S-02 Previous Year Papers

SECONDARY EXAMINATION, 2026
ENGLISH

Time: 3 Hours 15 Minutes

Maximum Marks: 80

No. of Questions: 20

No. of Printed Pages: 11

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE EXAMINEES:

1. Candidates must first write their Roll Nos. on the question paper compulsorily.
2. All the questions are compulsory.
3. Write the answer to each question in the given answer-book only.
4. For questions having more than one part, the answers to those parts are to be written together in continuity.
5. Write the correct serial number of each question as mentioned in the question paper.

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SECTION — A (READING)

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

[8×1=8]

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 feeling 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 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.

1. Standing on Everest, the writer was

   • A) Overjoyed
   • B) Very sad
   • C) Jubilant and sad
   • D) None of these

   Explanation: The passage states that instead of being jubilant, there was a tinge of sadness, indicating mixed feelings of joy and sadness.

2. The emotion that gripped him was

   • A) Victory over hurdles
   • B) Humility
   • C) Greatness and self importance
   • D) None of the above

   Explanation: The writer clearly mentions that the dominant feeling was humility, not victory or self-importance.

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

• A) a day
• B) a month
• C) a year
• D) a lifetime

Explanation: The writer describes the joy of reaching the summit of Everest as a lasting, lifelong feeling, not temporary.

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

• A) climbing hills
• B) climbing high summits
• C) climbing Everest
• D) none of the above

Explanation: The writer considers climbing Mount Everest as the ultimate achievement in mountaineering.

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

• A) The summit of Aravali
• B) The summit of physical fitness
• C) The summit of thought and imagination
• D) The summit of the mind

Explanation: The writer compares the challenge of climbing Everest to the equally difficult summit of thought and imagination.

vi) What changes you completely?

• A) Joy
• B) Experience
• C) Sorrow
• D) Thankfulness

Explanation: According to the passage, it is experience that brings about a complete change in a person.

vii) Find a word from the passage that means: “The highest point of a mountain.”

• A) Roads
• B) Hills
• C) Summit
• D) Humility

Explanation: The word 'summit' refers to the highest point of a mountain.

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

• A) Sadness
• B) Joy
• C) Dominant
• D) Thankfulness

Explanation: 'Jubilant' means feeling great happiness; its opposite is 'sadness'.

2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below: [8×2=16]

Questions:

1. Where did life originate?

   Answer: Life originated in water. The passage states that it is believed life on earth began in water.

2. Name some sources from where we get fresh water.

   Answer: Fresh water is obtained from rivers, fresh water lakes, and underground shallow aquifers.

3. What are the areas where the rising demands for water are difficult to be met?

   Answer: The rising demands for water are difficult to be met in agriculture, the domestic sector, and industry.

iv) Where do we dump our waste?

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

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

vii) Write the word from the passage that means similar to "Scarcity".

viii) Write the word from the passage which means opposite to 'Driest'.

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 principalgsssabed@gmail.com requesting him/her to change your section from X-A to X-B.

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.

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.

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

OR

Outline: 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 rot ........ learns a lesson.

SECTION - B (Writing)

8. Write a paragraph in about 100 words on 'My School' using the following hints:

Hints: big building, garden, playground, smart class, computer lab, good teachers, friendly environment

OR

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

(Picture not available in the text)

SECTION - C (Grammar)

9. Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verbs given in the brackets:

1. My father runs (run) a mile everyday.

   Explanation: The sentence talks about a habitual action (everyday), so the present simple tense 'runs' is used.

2. Raju was playing (play) in the ground while I was helping my mother in the kitchen.

   Explanation: The action was ongoing in the past when another action happened. Hence, past continuous tense 'was playing' is correct.

3. We will go (go) to Jaipur tomorrow.

   Explanation: The word 'tomorrow' indicates a future action, so 'will go' (simple future tense) is used.

4. The thief had escaped (escape) before the police arrived.

   Explanation: The action of escaping happened before another past action (police arrived). Therefore, past perfect tense 'had escaped' is used.

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

i) Both Ram and Shyam are playing outside.

ii) Either Sumit or Manish has completed the work.

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

i) Anil is a rich person, but Anil is unhappy.

ii) Mitali is not only hard-working but also intelligent.

9. Change the following sentence into passive voice :

The world cup was won by the Indian girls cricket team.

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

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]

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

• A) his parents
• B) his brother
• C) his sister
• D) he was alone

Previous Year Question Paper – ENGLISH-S-02 (2026)

Section: Comprehension & Literature

Questions based on the first passage:

ii) What he had been afraid to do?

1. to hunt
2. to sleep alone
3. to fly
4. to jump

iii) What was stretched down beneath his ledge?

1. Desert
2. Land
3. Forest
4. Sea

iv) What would not support him to fly?

1. his legs
2. his wings
3. both A) and B)
4. none of the above

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

vi) What happened when he attempted to fly?

Questions based on the second passage (OR):

i) What was beautiful?

1. The writer
2. The poem
3. The mother duck
4. None of the above

ii) How many baby ducklings they had?

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four

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

1. Father swan
2. Mother duck
3. Mr. Keesing
4. The writer

Section – B (Short Answer Questions)

1. Answer the following questions (any six):

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

   • A) House
   • B) Bridge
   • C) Jokes
   • D) Roads

   Explanation: Mr. Keesing, Anne Frank's teacher, was always making jokes these days, especially after she wrote a poem for him.

2. v) What did Mr. Keesing add to the poem?

   Mr. Keesing added a comment to the poem, saying that Anne had proven her point and he would not confiscate her chattering anymore.

3. vi) What did Mr. Keesing allow her to do?

   Mr. Keesing allowed Anne to talk in class, but only after she had written the poem and he was satisfied with her explanation.

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

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

   Lencho hoped for a good rain so that his cornfield would yield a good harvest and he could feed his family.

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

   Nelson Mandela set out ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all South Africans, where people of all races would live together in peace and harmony.

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

   The risk was flying through a terrible storm with no fuel left, no radio contact, and no visibility, hoping to land safely at an airport.

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

   The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the traditional Portuguese-style bread and the old-fashioned baker who would come with his basket and horn.

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

1. i) What is the story about the Kodavu people's descent? [Coorg]

   According to legend, the Kodavu people are descendants of Greek or Arab soldiers. One story says that a part of Alexander's army, unable to return home, settled in Coorg. Another story claims they are of Arab origin because their customs, like the marriage rituals and the traditional dress, resemble those of Arabs.

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

   Valli found out that the bus journey to the town cost thirty paise one way and took about forty-five minutes. She gathered these details by listening carefully to conversations between the bus conductor and other passengers, and by asking the conductor herself.

4. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [3]

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

   Lomov is a wealthy but nervous landowner who comes to propose to Natalya. He is hypochondriac, often feeling his heart beating fast and his legs giving way. He is argumentative and easily gets into heated debates over trivial matters like the ownership of Oxen Meadows and the superiority of his dog. Despite his intentions, he fails to propose smoothly.

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

   At first, Chubukov suspects that Lomov has come to borrow money, as he is dressed in formal evening wear. However, Lomov has actually come to propose marriage to Chubukov's daughter, Natalya.

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

1. i) What is Amanda being asked to finish?

   • A) Chocolate
   • B) Homework
   • C) Meals
   • D) None of the above

   Explanation: Amanda is being asked to finish her meals, as the speaker says "Did you tidy your room?" and "clean your shoes," implying she has not completed her chores.

2. ii) What was Amanda told to do?

   Amanda was told to tidy her room and clean her shoes.

3. iii) Who do you think is speaking to Amanda?

   The speaker is most likely Amanda's mother or a parent figure who is instructing her to do her household chores.

Previous Year Question Paper – ENGLISH (S-02)

Poem: Fog (Carl Sandburg)

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

7. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words: [2×3=6]

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

Section: Questions and Answers

9. Answer any one of the following two questions in about 60 words:

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

1. i) How many daughters did Ramlal have? (Bholi)

   • A) One
   • B) Two
   • C) Three
   • D) Four

   Explanation: Ramlal had seven children—three sons and four daughters. Bholi was one of the daughters.

2. ii) Who was the Commander-in-Chief of Mars Space Control? (The Book that Saved the Earth)

   • A) Noodle
   • B) Lieutenant Lota
   • C) Great and Mighty Think-Tank
   • D) Captain Omega

   Explanation: The Great and Mighty Think-Tank was the ruler and Commander-in-Chief of Mars Space Control.

3. iii) Richard H. Ebright was encouraged to become a scientist by his (The Making of a Scientist)

   • A) Mother
   • B) Father
   • C) Friend
   • D) None of the above

   Explanation: Richard Ebright’s mother encouraged his interest in science by buying him books, telescopes, and other equipment, and by taking him on trips.

4. iv) What does Horace Danby like to collect? (A Question of Trust)

   • A) Coins
   • B) Expensive books
   • C) Stamps
   • D) Locks

   Explanation: Horace Danby was a respectable locksmith who loved collecting rare and expensive books.

5. v) Who was Mr. Herriot? (A Triumph of Surgery)

   • A) Teacher
   • B) Policeman
   • C) Veterinary Surgeon
   • D) Advocate

   Explanation: Mr. James Herriot was a veterinary surgeon who treated Tricki, the dog, in the story.