www.careerinformationportal.in
APNA CAREER PORTAL
www.careerinformationportal.in
Sample Practice Paper 2026–27
| Student Name: ______________________ | Roll No.: __________ | Section: __________ |
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into THREE sections: A, B and C. All questions are compulsory.
2. Section A – Reading Skills — 20 Marks.
3. Section B – Writing Skills with Grammar — 20 Marks.
4. Section C – Literature (Textbooks) — 40 Marks.
5. Attempt all sub-parts of a question together at one place.
6. Marks are indicated against each question / sub-part.
SECTION A — READING SKILLS (20 Marks)
Q1. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Urban farming is quietly transforming the skyline of Indian cities. What once looked like unused terraces and balconies are now dotted with pots of tomatoes, spinach and herbs. Residents' welfare associations across metros report a sharp rise in the number of households growing their own vegetables, driven partly by concerns over food safety and partly by a desire to reconnect with nature amid concrete surroundings.
Urban planners note that this shift has benefits beyond the kitchen. Rooftop gardens lower indoor temperatures, reduce rainwater run-off and create small pockets of greenery that support birds and pollinators. Several schools have started terrace-farming clubs, encouraging students to track plant growth as part of their science curriculum.
However, challenges remain. Limited sunlight in high-rise buildings, water scarcity in summer months and lack of technical guidance discourage many first-time gardeners. Community groups have begun organising weekend workshops to teach composting and drip-irrigation techniques, hoping to make urban farming accessible to a wider population in the years ahead.
Urban planners note that this shift has benefits beyond the kitchen. Rooftop gardens lower indoor temperatures, reduce rainwater run-off and create small pockets of greenery that support birds and pollinators. Several schools have started terrace-farming clubs, encouraging students to track plant growth as part of their science curriculum.
However, challenges remain. Limited sunlight in high-rise buildings, water scarcity in summer months and lack of technical guidance discourage many first-time gardeners. Community groups have begun organising weekend workshops to teach composting and drip-irrigation techniques, hoping to make urban farming accessible to a wider population in the years ahead.
1.1 According to the passage, what is driving many households to start growing their own vegetables? (1)
1.2 Rooftop gardens help the environment by: (1)
1.3 Why have schools started terrace-farming clubs? (1)
1.4 Pick the word from the passage that means the same as "obstacles" (para 3). (1)
1.5 State whether the following statement is True or False: "Water scarcity in summer makes urban farming easier." (1)
1.6 What is the purpose of the weekend workshops mentioned in the passage? (1)
1.7 The word "quietly" in the first line suggests that the change is: (1)
1.8 Name one technique mentioned in the passage that helps in urban farming. (1)
1.9 In about 40 words, explain how urban farming benefits city dwellers, based on the passage. (2)
Q2. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Should students be allowed to use calculators in mathematics examinations? The debate has resurfaced as several education boards review their assessment policies. Supporters argue that calculators free students from tedious computation, allowing them to focus on problem-solving and conceptual understanding, which is far more valuable in the real world.
Critics, however, worry that over-reliance on calculators weakens a student's basic number sense. They argue that mental arithmetic builds patience, discipline and a deeper understanding of how numbers behave — skills that no device can replace. Some educators propose a middle path: allowing calculators only in higher classes, once foundational arithmetic skills are firmly established.
Ultimately, the decision may depend on what an education system values most — speed and efficiency, or depth and foundational understanding. As curricula evolve to include more data interpretation and applied mathematics, this question is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
Critics, however, worry that over-reliance on calculators weakens a student's basic number sense. They argue that mental arithmetic builds patience, discipline and a deeper understanding of how numbers behave — skills that no device can replace. Some educators propose a middle path: allowing calculators only in higher classes, once foundational arithmetic skills are firmly established.
Ultimately, the decision may depend on what an education system values most — speed and efficiency, or depth and foundational understanding. As curricula evolve to include more data interpretation and applied mathematics, this question is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
2.1 What is the main argument in favour of allowing calculators in exams? (1)
2.2 According to critics, over-reliance on calculators can weaken: (1)
2.3 What "middle path" do some educators propose? (1)
2.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "boring or repetitive". (1)
2.5 State whether True or False: "Mental arithmetic is said to build patience and discipline." (1)
2.6 Why does the passage suggest that this debate is "unlikely to disappear anytime soon"? (1)
2.7 The tone of the passage can best be described as: (1)
2.8 What does the final paragraph suggest an education system must decide between? (1)
2.9 In about 40 words, summarise the two opposing viewpoints discussed in the passage. (2)
SECTION B — WRITING SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR (20 Marks)
Q3. You are Head Boy/Head Girl of Sunrise Public School. Write a formal letter to the Municipal Commissioner complaining about the poor condition of the road outside your school, requesting immediate repair. 5 Marks
— OR —
You have noticed a rise in plastic waste in your neighbourhood park. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper, expressing your concern and suggesting measures the community can take. 5 Marks
Q4. "Social media has changed the way students learn — for better or for worse?" Write an analytical paragraph in 120–150 words expressing your view, supported with reasons and examples. 5 Marks
— OR —
Your school is organising an Inter-House Debate Competition. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, informing students about the event, and also draft a short article (100–120 words) on "The Importance of Public Speaking Skills". 5 Marks
Q5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate option: 4 Marks
Reading habits among teenagers (a) _____ (decline/declining/declined/decline) steadily over the last decade. Experts believe that (b) _____ (a/an/the/no article) rise of short-form video content is partly responsible. Schools (c) _____ (is/are/was/has) now introducing dedicated reading periods to counter this trend, (d) _____ (so/but/because/although) results so far have been encouraging.
Q6. Complete the following tasks as directed: 6 Marks
(a) Rewrite the sentence in reported speech: The teacher said, "Submit your projects by Friday." (2)
(b) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: If it _______ (rain) tomorrow, the sports day will be postponed. (2)
(c) Reorder the following words/phrases to form a meaningful sentence: has / never / such / a / beautiful / seen / painting / he (2)
SECTION C — LITERATURE (TEXTBOOKS) (40 Marks)
Q7. Read the extract given below from the prose section of your textbook and answer the questions that follow. 8 Marks
"It was not the money that mattered to him," the old man said quietly, looking at the empty field. "It was the faith — the belief that something greater was watching over the harvest, however small it turned out to be."
7.1 Who is "the old man" referring to, and what does the extract suggest about his character? (2)
7.2 What does the phrase "something greater was watching over the harvest" reveal about his outlook on life? (2)
7.3 Choose the option that best describes the old man's attitude: (1)
7.4 In about 40 words, explain what lesson the chapter this extract is drawn from teaches about resilience. (3)
Q8. Read the poetry extract below and answer the questions that follow. 6 Marks
The hills stood silent, wrapped in grey,
As if they held a word to say,
Yet spoke not — patient, unafraid —
Through sun and storm and evening shade.
As if they held a word to say,
Yet spoke not — patient, unafraid —
Through sun and storm and evening shade.
8.1 What poetic device is used in the line "As if they held a word to say"? (1)
8.2 What quality of the hills does the poet emphasise through the words "patient, unafraid"? (2)
8.3 What is the central theme conveyed in this extract? (3)
Q9. Answer any FOUR of the following short-answer questions in 30–40 words each, based on the prose and poetry lessons of your textbook. 8 Marks (4 × 2)
9.1 Describe a character from any lesson who shows unusual courage in a difficult situation.
9.2 Why do certain characters in your textbook choose to make personal sacrifices for others?
9.3 How does nature play an important role as a symbol in one of the poems you have studied?
9.4 What message about human relationships do you take away from any one prose lesson?
9.5 How is the theme of hope developed through the events of any chapter you have read?
Q10. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE): 6 Marks
10.1 "True courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to act despite it." Discuss this statement with close reference to any character from your textbook.
— OR —
10.2 Justice, once delayed, often changes its meaning for those who wait for it. Explain this idea with reference to any lesson you have studied.
Q11. Answer the following questions in 30–40 words each, based on the supplementary reader. 6 Marks (3 × 2)
11.1 Describe an incident from any chapter that shows the power of determination over circumstances.
11.2 How does the setting of a story influence the choices made by its characters?
11.3 What role does an unexpected twist play in changing the outcome of any story you have read?
Q12. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE), based on the supplementary reader: 6 Marks
12.1 "Ordinary people are capable of extraordinary acts when circumstances demand it." Elaborate with reference to any character from your supplementary reader.
— OR —
12.2 Discuss how honesty and integrity shape the outcome of events in any one story from your supplementary reader.
Page 1 of 1 | www.careerinformationportal.in
