Pre-Board Examination 2026
Subject - English
Subject - English
Q1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
(1×9 = 9)
In ancient times, education was regarded as the highest form of wealth. Kings guarded scholars more carefully than they guarded gold. Knowledge was believed to illuminate the soul, discipline the mind and refine the character. Civilizations flourished not by the strength of their armies but by the wisdom of their thinkers. When learning declines, nations decline with it. Modern society, however, measures success largely by material possessions. The thirst for immediate pleasure and comfort has weakened the pursuit of serious learning. Libraries stand deserted while screens glow endlessly. Yet no technology can replace the slow, steady shaping of intellect that reading and reflection provide. True education awakens curiosity, builds courage to question and develops the capacity to choose what is right over what is easy. A nation that neglects its classrooms cannot hope to secure its future. Roads and bridges may connect cities, but schools connect generations. The destiny of a country is written each morning in its classrooms.
A. How was education valued in ancient times?
B. What was believed to illuminate the soul?
C. On what do civilizations truly flourish?
D. How does modern society measure success?
E. Why is technology insufficient to replace learning?
F. What does true education develop?
G.(i) Find the word from the passage meaning “wealth”.
G.(ii) Find the word from the passage meaning “abandoned”.
G.(iii) Find the word from the passage meaning “destiny”.
Q2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
(1×6 = 6)
Water is the most precious gift of nature. Every form of life depends on it. Yet human beings waste it without thought. Rivers are polluted, lakes are drained and underground water is exhausted at alarming speed. The future wars of the world, many scientists warn, will be fought not for land or power but for water. Conservation of water is therefore not a choice but a necessity.
A. Why is water precious?
B. How do humans treat water?
C. What do scientists warn about future wars?
D. Find the word meaning ‘used up completely’.
E. Find the word meaning ‘protecting carefully’.
F. Find the opposite of ‘carelessness’.
Q.3. You are Amit/Aditi, Cultural Secretary of your school. Your school is organising an Inter-School Debate Competition. Write a notice in about 80 words inviting students to participate.
NOTICE
Inter-School Debate Competition
All the students are hereby informed that our school is organising an Inter-School Debate Competition on 20th November 2022 in the school auditorium. Interested students from classes IX to XII may give their names to the undersigned by 15th November 2022. The topic and further details will be shared later. Participation certificates will be awarded to all participants.
Amit / Aditi
Cultural Secretary
Inter-School Debate Competition
All the students are hereby informed that our school is organising an Inter-School Debate Competition on 20th November 2022 in the school auditorium. Interested students from classes IX to XII may give their names to the undersigned by 15th November 2022. The topic and further details will be shared later. Participation certificates will be awarded to all participants.
Amit / Aditi
Cultural Secretary
OR
Q.3. Write a formal reply accepting the invitation sent by Mr. R.P. Verma for a get-together.
Formal Reply
Dear Mr. Verma,
Thank you very much for your kind invitation to the get-together organised on the occasion of your son Jignesh’s return from Australia. I am delighted to accept the invitation and will be present at your residence on 15th November 2022 at 8.00 p.m.. Please convey my congratulations and best wishes to Jignesh.
Yours sincerely,
Santosh Garg
Dear Mr. Verma,
Thank you very much for your kind invitation to the get-together organised on the occasion of your son Jignesh’s return from Australia. I am delighted to accept the invitation and will be present at your residence on 15th November 2022 at 8.00 p.m.. Please convey my congratulations and best wishes to Jignesh.
Yours sincerely,
Santosh Garg
Q.5. You are Amita/Amit. Write a job application for the post of a clerk with your resume.
Application for the Post of Clerk
To,
The Manager,
ABC Enterprises,
New Delhi.
Subject: Application for the post of Clerk
Sir/Madam,
I wish to apply for the post of Clerk advertised in your esteemed organisation. I am a graduate with good knowledge of office work, computer applications and record keeping. I am hardworking, sincere and capable of handling responsibilities efficiently. I assure you that I shall work with dedication if given an opportunity.
Kindly consider my application. My resume is attached herewith for your kind consideration.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Amit / Amita
Mobile: 9XXXXXXXXX
RESUME
Name: Amit / Amita
Father’s Name: Mr. ________
Date of Birth: ________
Qualification: Graduate
Skills: MS Word, Excel, Typing
Experience: Fresher
Address: ___________
To,
The Manager,
ABC Enterprises,
New Delhi.
Subject: Application for the post of Clerk
Sir/Madam,
I wish to apply for the post of Clerk advertised in your esteemed organisation. I am a graduate with good knowledge of office work, computer applications and record keeping. I am hardworking, sincere and capable of handling responsibilities efficiently. I assure you that I shall work with dedication if given an opportunity.
Kindly consider my application. My resume is attached herewith for your kind consideration.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Amit / Amita
Mobile: 9XXXXXXXXX
RESUME
Name: Amit / Amita
Father’s Name: Mr. ________
Date of Birth: ________
Qualification: Graduate
Skills: MS Word, Excel, Typing
Experience: Fresher
Address: ___________
OR
Q.5. Write a letter to the Editor of a local daily newspaper to draw the attention of authorities to the condition of roads in the city.
Letter to the Editor
To,
The Editor,
The City Times,
New Delhi.
Subject: Poor condition of roads in the city
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the poor condition of roads in our city. Most of the roads are full of potholes causing frequent traffic jams and accidents. During the rainy season, the situation becomes worse. Immediate repairs and proper maintenance are urgently required in the interest of public safety.
I hope the authorities will take prompt action after this issue is highlighted in your newspaper.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Amit / Amita
City Resident
To,
The Editor,
The City Times,
New Delhi.
Subject: Poor condition of roads in the city
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities towards the poor condition of roads in our city. Most of the roads are full of potholes causing frequent traffic jams and accidents. During the rainy season, the situation becomes worse. Immediate repairs and proper maintenance are urgently required in the interest of public safety.
I hope the authorities will take prompt action after this issue is highlighted in your newspaper.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Amit / Amita
City Resident
Q.6(A) Riots __________ in the city after the election results were announced.
Q.6(B) The students must __________ the instructions carefully to succeed in the competition.
Q.6(C) The radio is silent. Please __________ the radio.
Q.7(A) She did not attend school ______ she fell ill.
Q.7(B) Work hard ______ you will fail.
Q.7(C) Ravi is ______ hardworking ______ honest.
Q.8(A) Combine the sentences using infinitive.
Q.8(B) Combine the sentences using participle.
Q.9(A) If I ______ (be) the class monitor, I would help the students solve their problems.
Q.9(B) If he had prepared well, he ______ (win) the competition.
Q10. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow : 1×6=6
“I want to drive a car” Mukesh insists on being his own master. “I will be a motor mechanic,” he announces. “Do you know anything about cars?” I ask. “I will learn to drive a car,” he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His dream looms like a mirage amidst the dust of streets that fill his town Firozabad, famous for its bangles. Every other family in Firozabad is engaged in making bangles. It is the centre of India’s glassblowing industry where families have spent generations working around furnaces, welding glass, making bangles for all the women in the land it seems. Questions :
Q.10(i) Where does Mukesh live? What is it famous for?
Q.10(ii) What is the occupation of every other family in Firozabad?
Q.10(iii) Where have the families spent their generations?
(iv) Find the word from the passage which means ‘says strongly’.
✔ Correct Answer : insists
(v) Find the word from the passage which is opposite to ‘illusion’.
✔ Correct Answer : mirage
(vi) What does Mukesh want to be?
✔ Correct Answer : Mechanic
Score: 0 / 12
Q.11. Answer the following questions in about 60 words. (1×4 = 4)
Justify the title of the lesson “Lost Spring”.
OR
Who was Edla? How did she change the peddler's behavior?
Justify the title of the lesson “Lost Spring”.
OR
Who was Edla? How did she change the peddler's behavior?
Answer (Lost Spring):
The title “Lost Spring” is appropriate because the lesson describes the childhood of poor children like Saheb and Mukesh who are deprived of education, joy and freedom. Instead of enjoying childhood, they are forced into labour and poverty. Their dreams and innocence are crushed, and thus their ‘spring’ or youth is lost forever.
OR
Answer (The Rattrap):
Edla was the kind and compassionate daughter of the ironmaster. Unlike her father, she treated the peddler with sympathy and respect. Her kindness, trust and hospitality awakened the goodness in the peddler’s heart and transformed him into a better human being.
The title “Lost Spring” is appropriate because the lesson describes the childhood of poor children like Saheb and Mukesh who are deprived of education, joy and freedom. Instead of enjoying childhood, they are forced into labour and poverty. Their dreams and innocence are crushed, and thus their ‘spring’ or youth is lost forever.
OR
Answer (The Rattrap):
Edla was the kind and compassionate daughter of the ironmaster. Unlike her father, she treated the peddler with sympathy and respect. Her kindness, trust and hospitality awakened the goodness in the peddler’s heart and transformed him into a better human being.
Q.12. Answer the following questions in 20–30 words. (2×2 = 4)
(i) Gandhi agreed to a settlement of 25 percent refund because he wanted to teach the farmers the value of unity and justice rather than merely winning money.
(ii) The office boy was a junior employee at Gemini Studios. He hated the make-up department because he felt it wasted time and money and treated him unfairly.
(ii) The office boy was a junior employee at Gemini Studios. He hated the make-up department because he felt it wasted time and money and treated him unfairly.
Q.13. Explain any one of the following stanzas with reference to context. (1×6 = 6)
Answer (Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers):
These lines describe Aunt Jennifer’s helpless condition in her marriage. Her trembling fingers show her fear and weakness. The heavy wedding ring symbolizes male domination and oppression. The poet highlights how marriage has burdened Aunt Jennifer and taken away her freedom and confidence.
These lines describe Aunt Jennifer’s helpless condition in her marriage. Her trembling fingers show her fear and weakness. The heavy wedding ring symbolizes male domination and oppression. The poet highlights how marriage has burdened Aunt Jennifer and taken away her freedom and confidence.
Q.14. Answer the following questions in about 60 words. (1×3 = 3)
Answer (The Earth as Teacher):
Pablo Neruda calls the Earth a teacher because it teaches humanity patience, harmony and peace. The Earth remains calm, silent and productive. By observing nature, humans can learn how to live peacefully, avoid violence and grow spiritually.
Pablo Neruda calls the Earth a teacher because it teaches humanity patience, harmony and peace. The Earth remains calm, silent and productive. By observing nature, humans can learn how to live peacefully, avoid violence and grow spiritually.
Q.15. Answer the following questions in 20–30 words. (2×2 = 4)
(i) Kamala Das compares her mother to a winter’s moon because she looks pale, weak and lifeless, symbolizing old age and approaching death.
(ii) Some car owners stop at the roadside stand to buy things and help the poor villagers by giving them a small amount of money.
(ii) Some car owners stop at the roadside stand to buy things and help the poor villagers by giving them a small amount of money.
Q.16. Answer the following question in about 60 words.
Answer (On the Face of It):
Yes, Derry was deeply influenced by Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb taught him to accept life positively despite physical disability. He encouraged Derry to overcome fear, build confidence and face the world bravely. Mr. Lamb’s optimism changed Derry’s outlook towards life.
Yes, Derry was deeply influenced by Mr. Lamb. Mr. Lamb taught him to accept life positively despite physical disability. He encouraged Derry to overcome fear, build confidence and face the world bravely. Mr. Lamb’s optimism changed Derry’s outlook towards life.
Q.17. Answer the following question.
Answer (Journey to the End of the Earth):
‘Students on Ice’ is an educational programme that takes students to Antarctica. It aims to make them aware of climate change, environmental conservation and the importance of preserving the Earth for future generations.
‘Students on Ice’ is an educational programme that takes students to Antarctica. It aims to make them aware of climate change, environmental conservation and the importance of preserving the Earth for future generations.
(i) Sadao wife was :
✔ Correct Answer : Hana
(ii) ‘Zitkala-Sa’ was the pen name of :
✔ Correct Answer : Gertrude Simmons Bonnin
(iii) Whose long hair was cut?
✔ Correct Answer : Zitkala Sa’s
(iv) Derry’s face was burnt by :
✔ Correct Answer : Acid
(v) Who had tin leg?
✔ Correct Answer : Mr. Lamb
(vi) The man who was saved by Dr. Sadao was :
✔ Correct Answer : An American
(vii) The narrator imagined the third level at :
✔ Correct Answer : Grand Central Station
(viii) The hundredth tiger was a/an :
✔ Correct Answer : Wooden tiger
(ix) The quilt was covered with :
✔ Correct Answer : Flowered cotton
🌍 विश्व के महाद्वीपों के अनुसार मानचित्र अभ्यास एवं भारत , राजस्थान के मानचित्र का अभ्यास करने के लिए लिंक को क्लिक करे-
🌏 Asia
🌍 Africa
🌍 Europe
🌎 North America
🌎 South America
🇮🇳 India
🏜️ Rajasthan