The CBSE class 10 board exams are close at hand, it is crucial that students buckle up their preparation for a crucial academic assessment. The class 10 English exam is scheduled to take place on February 15, 2025. It is a subject that not only gauges linguistic prowess but also nurtures creativity and writing skills. Given its significance in both academics and professional workspace, having a hold of English is more than just an exam requirement, it is a treasured life skill.
The English exam is bifurcated into three sections: Reading Comprehension, Writing and Grammar, and Literature. Excelling in the English exam demands a strategic approach and streamlined preparations. The Literature section carries a maximum weightage of 40 marks. Literature is etched as an essential component of the English language. The literature section mandates students to develop an in-depth understanding of literary contexts and compels students to master their analytical and critical thinking skills. It evaluates students’ ability to interpret prose, poetry, and drama, requiring them to engage with themes, character development, and literary devices. Scoring well in this segment goes beyond rote learning—it calls for insightful analysis and structured responses that demonstrate both clarity and depth of thought.
To help students outperform in the Literature section, Ritu Sharma, a Post Graduate Teacher at ITL Public School in Delhi, has compiled a set of practice questions designed to reflect the exam format. These carefully crafted questions help students develop a nuanced understanding of texts, improving their ability to construct well-articulated answers under timed conditions.

CBSE Class 10 English exam preparation: Important Literature questions

Students must practise CBSE Class 10 exam questions pertaining to the Literature section. Here are a few questions suggested by Ms.Sharma:
Question 1: The story of the two boys, as revealed by the nurse, deeply impacts the narrator. He decides to write a diary entry, recording how he feels inspired by the grit, determination, and selfless actions of the two gentlemen of Verona. As the narrator, write the entry.
Question 2: A person who is vain is full of self-importance can only think of himself/herself and can go to great lengths to prove his/her superiority. Do you think Mrs Packletide is vain? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Question 3: Ali displays qualities of love and patience”. Give evidence from the story to support the statement.
Question 4: “Ali came out very slowly, turning after every few steps to gaze at the post office. His eyes were filled with tears of helplessness, for his patience was exhausted, even though he still had faith.” Why were Ali’s eyes filled with tears of helplessness? What had exhausted his patience but not his faith?
Question 5: “Tortured by doubt and remorse, he sat down in the glow of the charcoal sigri to wait.” Who is tortured by doubt and remorse? Why? What is he waiting for?
Question 6: When confronted by Lavinia about his flirtations over the Ouija Board, John insists that ‘the affair was quite above-board, I assure you, my love’. Bring out the pun in John’s statement.
Question 7: John’s apprehensions about his wife’s reaction to her encounter with the ghost are unfounded. Justify.
Question 8: Patol Babu is an amateur actor for whom a walk-on part in a movie turns into an ultimate challenge. Discuss.
Question 9: Do you agree with the statement that Patol Babu is a practical man who comes to terms with whatever life has to offer? Give reasons for your answer.
Question 10: Sebastian Shultz had a close brush with death. After he recovers, he returns to school and narrates his experience to his classmates. As Sebastian Shultz, narrate your experience.
Question 11: Contradict the fact that the nightingale did not deserve the frog’s wrath.
Question 12: Bring out the irony in the frog’s statement – ‘Your song must be your own’.
Question 13: Inspite of having a melodious voice and being a crowd-puller, the nightingale turns out to be a loser and dies. How far is she responsible for her own downfall?
Question 14: The nightingale has scaled the heights of success. But now the audience is dwindling, the frog is unhappy and reprimands her all the time. She is mentally and physically exhausted and fears failure. As the nightingale, write a diary entry highlighting her fears and analyzing the reasons for her failure.
Question 15: “You live in this, and dwell in lovers eyes.”
(a) How can he dwell in lovers’ eyes?
(b) What values are highlighted in the above line?
Question 16: Overarching ambition can lead to great leaders and their downfall. Substantiate your position in favour or in opposition to this statement. (Ozymandias)
Question 17: The crew hangs the albatross around the sailor’s neck. What was the significance of this act?
Question 18: “The sailors are fickle-minded.” Justify this statement with reference to the poem.
Question 19: The poem is full of strange, uncanny, or supernatural elements. Discuss how these elements appear in the poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Write a paragraph about the supernatural elements in the poem and how they add to the events that take place in the poem.
Question 20: “Reptiles like snakes generate both horror and fascination.” Have you ever felt fascinated yet scared by snakes like the poet? Describe your thoughts and experiences based on the poem.
Question 21: The poet is filled with horror and protest when the snake prepares to retreat and bury itself in the ‘horrid black’, ‘dreadful’ hole. In light of this statement, bring out the irony of his act of throwing a log at the snake.
Question 22: The poet has a dual attitude towards the snake. Why does he experience conflicting emotions on seeing the snake?
Question 23: Ben appreciates grandfather saying ‘it’s’ a good thing he did’. Later he calls him a ‘drunken old beggar’. Why does he change his opinion about grandfather?
Question 24: Morals and ethics seem to have perished in modern society. The character of Victoria is a moral check to all the adults in the lesson, hence she is a stark contrast to that of her parents. Analyze this thought and describe your opinion in a brief synopsis of the story.
Question 25: “The moral values are degraded in respect and care within the members of the family itself.” Explain this statement with reference to Mrs. Slater and Mrs. Jordan.

Effective tips for scoring high in Literature section

You need to read and practise well to outperform in this section. Here are some tips that will help you to strengthen your learning in the last leg of preparation.
Understand the Themes and Messages
Superficial understanding will not be of huge help to you. Go beneath the surface-level plots. Keenly analyse deeper themes, connotations, values, and social messages that poems and stories want to convey.
For example, The Diary of Anne Frank, focuses on themes like resilience, hope, and the impact of war on individuals.
Master Character Analysis
Pick character traits, motivations, and development. Use right adjectives to elucidate characters and back your answers with textual evidences.
Practise Contextual Questions
Literature has no rulebooks. You need to penetrate into the stories and pick out the vital significance of lines or dialogues. Remember, every line has an intended and at times hidden meaning. Comprehend the context in which they are quoted and their relevance to the story or poem. You can connect the lessons learnt with the real-world to establish a link between the fable and real.
Example: In A Tiger in the Zoo, explain the contrast between the tiger’s life in the wild and in captivity.
Focus on Literary Devices
Literary devices are cornerstones of literature. Identify and explain literary devices such as metaphors, similies, personification, alliteration, and irony. This will help you score well in the poetry and prose sections.
For example, in The Ball Poem, discuss the symbolism of the lost ball and its connection to loss and growing up.
Revise Important Quotes
Supporting your answers with the key quotes from poems, stories, and plays can help you earn those extra marks. Yes, brownie points! It will showcase your in-depth understanding of the text.
Example: In Julius Caesar, quotes like “Et tu, Brute?” or “Cowards die many times before their deaths” are pivotal.
Work on Answer Presentation
While ‘what’ you write matters, but do not overlook ‘how’ you present it. Structure your answers clearly with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Use bullet points or paragraphs as required.
For long-answer questions, start with a brief summary, analyze the question, and conclude with your interpretation.
Read Between the Lines
Develop the habit of inferring meanings that are not explicitly stated. This skill is crucial for answering higher-order thinking questions.
Example: In The Midnight Visitor, deduce why Ausable was confident despite the dangerous situation.
Enhance Vocabulary
Vocabulary is your saviour and ally in English Literature, this statement needs no testament. Try to pick words from your literature texts and incorporate them into your answers to make them look more impressive and impactful.
For instance, words like “melancholy,” “resilience,” or “foreshadowing” can elevate your writing.
Focus on Author’s Intent
It is crucial to dig deeper than what you read. Understand what the author is trying to explain through her writing. Is it a criticism, a stanza to evoke emotions, or a universal truth? The perspective will undoubtedly sprinkle your answer with remarkable insights.