In short: The CBSE Class 10 English paper (80 marks theory) is heavily competency-based by design. The Reading section (20 marks) is entirely competency-based — unseen passages test comprehension, inference, and analysis. The Literature section tests extract-based comprehension (10 marks). Grammar is integrated into writing and tested in context. Roughly 40-45 marks out of 80 test competency skills.

How English CBQs Work — They Are Different from Other Subjects

Unlike Maths or Science where CBQs are a new addition, the English paper has always been competency-based in nature. You have never been asked to memorise and reproduce text. Every question requires you to read, understand, and respond.

What changed with the competency-based framework is the emphasis on higher-order thinking — inference questions, analytical questions, and questions that test vocabulary in context rather than in isolation.

Section	Marks	CBQ Component
Section A — Reading	20	Fully competency-based: 2 unseen passages
Section B — Writing & Grammar	20	Grammar in context (gap filling, editing, reordering)
Section C — Literature	40	Extract-based questions (10 marks) + application-based answers
Total CBQ-oriented marks	~40-45	Out of 80

The English paper for 2027 follows the 2025-26 pattern: Reading (20 marks), Writing & Grammar (20 marks), and Literature (40 marks). See the English paper pattern and scoring strategy for the full breakdown.

Practice Passage 1: Unseen Discursive Passage (10 marks)

Read the following passage carefully:

Sleep deprivation among teenagers has become a growing concern for educators and health professionals. Studies show that adolescents need 8-10 hours of sleep per night, yet the average Indian teenager sleeps only 6-7 hours. The reasons are multifaceted: late-night screen time, academic pressure leading to extended study hours, and early school start times that force students to wake up before their natural circadian rhythm allows.

Research conducted at AIIMS Delhi found that students who slept fewer than 7 hours consistently scored 15-20% lower in cognitive tests compared to well-rested peers. The impact extends beyond academics — sleep-deprived teenagers show higher rates of anxiety, poor decision-making, and weakened immune systems.

Some schools in Bengaluru and Pune have experimented with pushing start times from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM. Preliminary results show improved attendance, better classroom engagement, and a 12% increase in average test scores. However, critics argue that later start times disrupt parents' work schedules and school bus logistics.

(i) Based on the passage, what is the main cause of sleep deprivation among Indian teenagers? (a) Illness (b) A combination of screen time, academic pressure, and early school hours (c) Laziness (d) Poor nutrition

(ii) The word "multifaceted" in the passage most nearly means: (a) Simple (b) Having many aspects (c) Unclear (d) Temporary

(iii) What evidence does the passage provide to support the claim that sleep deprivation affects academics? (a) Teachers' opinions (b) An AIIMS study showing 15-20% lower cognitive test scores (c) Student complaints (d) Parental feedback

(iv) Why might some people oppose later school start times? (a) Students would sleep more (b) It would improve test scores (c) It disrupts parents' schedules and bus logistics (d) Teachers prefer early hours

(v) The tone of the passage can best be described as: (a) Angry and critical (b) Informative and balanced (c) Humorous (d) Emotional and persuasive

(vi) What does the phrase "natural circadian rhythm" refer to in this context? (a) A type of exercise (b) The body's internal sleep-wake cycle (c) A school schedule (d) A medical treatment

(vii) Based on the passage, which of the following is a valid inference? (a) All Indian schools should immediately change their timings (b) There is enough evidence to at least pilot later start times more widely (c) Sleep deprivation is not a real problem (d) Only schools in Bengaluru care about students

(viii) Suggest a suitable title for this passage.

Suggested answer for (viii): "The Sleep Crisis Among Indian Teenagers: Causes, Consequences, and School-Level Solutions"

Answers: (i) b (ii) b (iii) b (iv) c (v) b (vi) b (vii) b

Practice Passage 2: Case-Based Factual Passage with Visual Input (10 marks)

Read the following passage and study the bar graph:

India's digital literacy has grown significantly over the past decade. According to NSSO data, the percentage of individuals (aged 15-29) who can use a computer rose from 18% in 2014 to 38% in 2024. Internet usage in the same age group jumped from 12% to 62%. Rural areas, however, still lag behind urban centres — only 28% of rural youth are digitally literate compared to 56% in urban areas.

The government's Digital India programme, launched in 2015, has played a key role by establishing Common Service Centres (CSCs) in villages, providing free Wi-Fi at railway stations, and promoting digital payment systems. Despite progress, challenges remain: only 40% of government schools have functional computer labs, and many rural households lack stable internet connectivity.

[Bar Graph Description: Shows digital literacy rates — Urban 56%, Rural 28%, Overall 38% for 2024]

(i) What was the percentage increase in computer usage among youth from 2014 to 2024? (a) 18% (b) 20% (c) 38% (d) 56%

(ii) The urban-rural digital literacy gap in 2024 is: (a) 18 percentage points (b) 28 percentage points (c) 38 percentage points (d) 56 percentage points

(iii) Which government initiative is credited with improving digital literacy? (a) Make in India (b) Swachh Bharat (c) Digital India (d) Skill India

(iv) The word "lag" in the passage means: (a) Lead (b) Fall behind (c) Compete (d) Improve

(v) Based on the data, what is the biggest barrier to digital literacy in rural India? (a) Lack of interest (b) Absence of functional computer labs and stable internet (c) Too many CSCs (d) Government opposition

Answers: (i) b — 38% − 18% = 20 percentage points (ii) b — 56% − 28% = 28 (iii) c (iv) b (v) b

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Literature Extract-Based Questions

These questions give you a passage from your prescribed textbook (First Flight or Footprints without Feet) and test comprehension, inference, and appreciation.

Extract 1: From "A Letter to God" by G.L. Fuentes

"The house — the only one in the entire valley — sat on the crest of a low hill. From this height one could see the river and the field of ripe corn dotted with the flowers that always promised a good harvest. The only thing the earth needed was a downpour or at least a shower."

(i) What does the description of the house suggest about the family's setting? (a) They live in a crowded city (b) They live in an isolated, rural, farming area (c) They are wealthy (d) They live near the coast

(ii) The phrase "always promised a good harvest" reveals: (a) The family's desperation (b) The farmer's optimism and faith in nature (c) A scientific fact (d) The family's wealth

(iii) Why does the earth need "a downpour or at least a shower"? (a) To clean the house (b) The crops depend on rainwater for survival (c) The river has dried up (d) The flowers need decoration

(iv) What literary device is used in "the flowers that always promised"? (a) Simile (b) Personification (c) Metaphor (d) Alliteration

Answers: (i) b (ii) b (iii) b (iv) b — flowers "promising" assigns human qualities to nature

Extract 2: From "The Hundred Dresses" by El Bsor Ester

"She said nothing but walked on, her eyes dull and her mouth closed. She wore the same faded blue dress that she had worn every day. Nobody paid any attention to her except when the others would surround her and ask, 'How many dresses did you say you had?'"

(i) The phrase "her eyes dull and her mouth closed" suggests that Wanda: (a) Was happy and cheerful (b) Was hurt but stayed silent (c) Was angry and aggressive (d) Was planning revenge

(ii) Why did the other children ask about her dresses? (a) They were genuinely interested (b) They were mocking and bullying her (c) They wanted to buy them (d) They admired her fashion

(iii) What theme does this extract highlight? (a) Fashion trends (b) Bullying and the cruelty of exclusion (c) School academics (d) Friendship and loyalty

(iv) The repetition of "the same faded blue dress" emphasises: (a) Her love for blue (b) Her poverty and the contrast with her claim of having many dresses (c) A school uniform rule (d) Her laziness

Answers: (i) b (ii) b (iii) b (iv) b

Extract 3: From "The Trees" by Adrienne Rich (Poetry)

"The trees inside are moving out into the forest, / the forest that was empty all these days / where no bird could sit / no insect hide / no sun bury its feet in shadow."

(i) The "trees inside" most likely refers to: (a) Actual trees in a garden (b) Trees confined indoors — possibly symbolising women or nature trapped in artificial settings (c) Trees in a painting (d) Furniture made of wood

(ii) Why was "no bird could sit" in the forest? (a) The birds were afraid (b) The forest was empty — without real trees, it could not support life (c) There were no birds in the region (d) The wind was too strong

(iii) The image of the sun burying "its feet in shadow" is an example of: (a) Simile (b) Personification (c) Oxymoron (d) Hyperbole

(iv) What larger theme does the poem convey? (a) Deforestation (b) The urge for freedom and breaking free from confinement (c) Weather patterns (d) Gardening tips

Answers: (i) b (ii) b (iii) b (iv) b

Grammar in Context — Competency Format

Grammar is no longer tested through isolated exercises. It appears integrated into the writing section and as gap-filling, editing, and sentence-reordering tasks.

Gap Filling Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct option:

(i) The teacher, along with her students, _______ (was/were) present at the function. Answer: was (subject-verb agreement — "the teacher" is singular)

(ii) If I _______ (was/were) you, I would apologise immediately. Answer: were (subjunctive mood for hypothetical situations)

(iii) She has been living in Delhi _______ (since/for) 2018. Answer: since (specific year)

Editing Practice

The following passage has one error in each line. Identify and correct it:

Line	Text	Error	Correction
1	The childrens were playing in the park.	childrens	children
2	They was enjoying the sunny weather.	was	were
3	One of the boy fell down and hurt his knee.	boy	boys
4	His friends quick ran to help him.	quick	quickly

Sentence Reordering

Rearrange the following to form a meaningful sentence:

(i) the / examination / for / students / the / preparing / are / board Answer: The students are preparing for the board examination.

(ii) should / regularly / one / exercise / to / stay / healthy Answer: One should exercise regularly to stay healthy.

How to Approach English CBQs

Unseen Passages (Reading Section)

Read the passage once for the overall idea — do not start answering immediately.
Read the questions — then re-read the passage looking for specific answers.
Inference questions require you to read between the lines. The answer will not be stated directly but can be logically deduced.
Vocabulary-in-context questions — do not rely on dictionary meanings. The correct meaning depends on how the word is used in the passage.
For the title question, pick a title that covers the main theme, not a detail.

Literature Extracts

Identify which chapter the extract is from — this helps you recall the context.
Answers should come from the extract itself, not from your memory of the full chapter.
Literary device questions are common — know personification, metaphor, simile, alliteration, and irony.
Theme questions test your understanding of the bigger picture — practise identifying themes in every chapter.

For overall paper strategy, see the board exam time management guide.

Common Mistakes in English CBQs

Overthinking inference questions. Students look for complex hidden meanings when the answer is a straightforward logical deduction from the passage.
Choosing vocabulary meanings from memory. The word "run" can mean different things in different contexts. Always check how it is used in the passage.
Writing long answers for MCQ-type questions. The Reading section has specific-answer questions — write concise responses. Save time for Section C (Literature), where you need longer answers.
Ignoring the factual passage with data. The case-based factual passage (Passage 2) often has a chart, graph, or table. Students skip the visual and miss easy marks.
Grammar errors in Writing section. The writing section carries 20 marks, and grammar is tested within it. A well-structured letter or article with correct grammar scores significantly higher than one with good ideas but poor language.
Not practising extract-based questions from prescribed texts. Students memorise chapter summaries but do not practise answering questions from specific extracts. The English scoring strategy covers this in detail.

FAQs

How many unseen passages are in the CBSE Class 10 English paper 2027?

Two unseen passages in Section A, totalling 20 marks. The first is a discursive passage (400-450 words, 10 marks) and the second is a case-based factual passage with visual input like a chart or graph (200-250 words, 10 marks).

Are literature extract-based questions competency-based?

Yes. They test comprehension, inference, and literary analysis — all competency skills. You are given a passage from your prescribed text and must answer questions that go beyond recall. Typically, 10 marks in the Literature section are extract-based.

Is grammar tested separately in the 2027 paper?

Grammar is integrated into the Writing section through gap filling (4 marks), editing (4 marks), and sentence reordering (2 marks). There is no separate grammar section. It tests grammar in applied contexts.

How do I improve my Reading section score?

Practise 2-3 unseen passages daily for 4 weeks before the exam. Focus on inference questions and vocabulary-in-context. Time yourself — the entire Reading section should take 30-35 minutes.

Can I score 70+ in English without tuition?

Absolutely. English is a skill-based paper. Regular reading (newspapers, short stories), practising unseen passages, and writing practice (letters, articles) are more effective than tuition. Use the CBSE sample papers for full practice.

What literary devices should I know for the exam?

Simile, metaphor, personification, alliteration, irony, imagery, hyperbole, and oxymoron are the main ones. Know them with examples from your prescribed texts. They appear in both poetry and prose extract questions.

CBSE Class 10 English Competency-Based Questions — Reading, Writing, and Literature Practice 2027