How to score 90+ in English Class 10 CBSE?

English is the easiest subject to score 90+ IF you follow the format. Reading (20 marks): answers are IN the passage — locate and rephrase. Writing (20 marks): follow the exact format (letter/article/notice). Grammar (16 marks): practise daily. Literature (24 marks): read First Flight + Footprints thoroughly, memorise key quotes. Total: 80 marks theory + 20 IA.

Is reading NCERT enough for English?

Yes — First Flight (prose + poetry) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader) are the only sources for literature questions. For reading and writing sections, practise sample papers. For grammar, use any grammar workbook. No external reference book needed.

Which section should I attempt first in English?

Start with Literature (Section C) — you know these answers from studying. Then Grammar (Section B) — quick if you've practised. Then Writing (Section A2) — requires thought but format-based. Finally Reading (Section A1) — answers are in the passage but takes time to locate. This order maximises marks per minute.

How to write good answers in English board exam?

Rules: (1) Stay within word limit — examiners penalise for too long/short. (2) Use paragraphs. (3) Underline key phrases. (4) For poetry: quote the line, then explain. (5) For prose: refer to specific events from the story. (6) For writing: follow format strictly — date, subject line, sender's address for letters.

English Important Questions Class 10 — 2026

CBSE Class 10 English: 80 marks theory (Reading 20 + Writing 20 + Grammar 16 + Literature 24) + 20 marks internal assessment. English rewards format and practice — follow the structure, and 80+ is very achievable.

Paper Pattern

Section	Content	Marks
A: Reading	2 unseen passages (1 discursive + 1 case-based)	20
B: Grammar	Gap filling, editing, sentence reordering, sentence transformation	16
C: Writing	Formal letter / informal letter, analytical paragraph / article / report	20
D: Literature	Extracts (prose + poetry) + short answers + long answers from First Flight & Footprints	24

Section A: Reading (20 marks)

Question Type	Marks	Tips
Passage 1: Discursive (MCQ + short answer)	10	Read the passage TWICE. Answers are directly in the passage — locate the paragraph, rephrase in your own words. Do not add outside information.
Passage 2: Case-based / Data interpretation	10	May include charts, graphs, or infographics. Read all data points carefully. Answer based only on what is given.

Reading strategy: Read questions FIRST, then read the passage. This way you know what to look for. Underline relevant lines as you read. Do not spend more than 25 minutes on both passages.

Section B: Grammar (16 marks)

Topic	Marks	Most Tested Areas
Gap Filling (with/without options)	4	Tenses, modals, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement
Editing / Omission	4	Common errors: tense consistency, article usage, preposition errors, spelling
Sentence Reordering	4	Rearrange jumbled sentences into a meaningful paragraph
Sentence Transformation	4	Active-passive voice, direct-indirect speech, sentence combining

Grammar — Most Tested Rules

Rule	Example
Tense consistency	"He went to the market and buys vegetables" → "bought"
Subject-verb agreement	"The group of students were noisy" → "was"
Articles	"He is a honest man" → "an honest man"
Prepositions	"I am good in Maths" → "good at Maths"
Modals	"You should to go" → "You should go"
Active → Passive	"She wrote a letter" → "A letter was written by her"
Direct → Indirect	"He said, 'I am happy'" → "He said that he was happy"

Practise English grammar & literature

Super Tutor has grammar exercises, comprehension practice, and literature questions for Class 10 English.

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Section C: Writing (20 marks)

Formal Letter (5 marks)

Expected Topics	Format Points (1 mark each)
Letter to Editor: pollution, traffic, water shortage, stray animals	Sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, salutation, body, closing
Letter to Principal: requesting facility, reporting issue, seeking permission	Same format. Use formal language. 120–150 words.
Letter to Municipal Corporation: civic issues, road repair, sanitation	State problem clearly, suggest solution, request action.

Analytical Paragraph / Article (5 marks)

Expected Topics	Structure
Importance of reading, impact of technology, environmental awareness, health & fitness, education system	Title + By [Name]. Introduction (hook). Body (3-4 paragraphs with examples). Conclusion. 150–200 words.
Data-based analytical paragraph (from chart/graph/table)	Introduction (what the data shows). Key observations (2-3). Comparison/contrast. Conclusion/inference.

Section D: Literature (24 marks)

First Flight — Prose (Most Expected)

Chapter	Expected Questions	Marks
A Letter to God	Why did Lencho write to God? What was ironic about the ending?	3–5
Nelson Mandela	What does Mandela mean by "twin obligations"? What is the significance of "courage is not absence of fear"?	3–5
Two Stories About Flying	How did the young seagull overcome his fear? What lesson does it teach?	3–5
From the Diary of Anne Frank	Why did Anne feel she could confide in her diary? Character sketch of Anne.	3–5
The Hundred Dresses	Why didn't Maddie speak up for Wanda? What is the message of the story?	3–5
Madam Rides the Bus	How did Valli plan her bus journey? What did she learn from the experience?	3–5

First Flight — Poetry (Most Expected)

Poem	Expected Questions
Dust of Snow	How did the crow and hemlock tree change the poet's mood? Explain the poetic device used.
Fire and Ice	What do "fire" and "ice" symbolise? Which end does the poet prefer and why?
A Tiger in the Zoo	Contrast the tiger's life in the zoo with that in the wild. What is the poet's message?
Amanda!	Why is Amanda asked not to do various things? What does she imagine? What is the poem about?
Animals	Why does the poet prefer animals over humans? What qualities of animals does he admire?
The Ball Poem	What does the boy learn from losing his ball? What is the epistemology of loss?

Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary)

Chapter	Expected Questions
A Triumph of Surgery	What was wrong with Tricki? How did the doctor cure him?
The Thief's Story	Why did Hari Singh return the money? Character sketch of Anil.
Footprints Without Feet	How did Griffin become invisible? Why was he not a true scientist?
The Making of a Scientist	What qualities of Richard Ebright made him a scientist?
The Necklace	What was the twist at the end? What message does the story convey?
The Hack Driver	How was the narrator tricked? What does the story teach about first impressions?

Time Management

Section	Time	Strategy
Reading	25 min	Read questions first, then passage. Underline answers as you read.
Grammar	15 min	Quick if practised. Read sentence aloud mentally to catch errors.
Writing	30 min	Follow format strictly. Plan before writing. Word limit matters.
Literature	40 min	Quote from text. Use character names. Write in paragraphs for long answers.
Review	10 min	Check grammar in your writing answers. Fill any blanks.

Questions based on CBSE Class 10 English papers (2018–2025) and 2026 sample paper. Literature questions based on First Flight and Footprints Without Feet prescribed textbooks. Chapter list may vary — check CBSE curriculum for the latest prescribed chapters. Last updated: February 2026.

English Important Questions Class 10 CBSE 2026 — Section Wise