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Sample Practice Paper — 7 (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
Migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres every year, often crossing continents and oceans, guided by instincts that scientists are still working to fully understand. For a long time, it was believed that birds relied mainly on the position of the sun and stars to navigate. Recent research, however, suggests that many species can also sense the Earth's magnetic field, using it almost like an internal compass.
Wetlands and lakes along migratory routes serve as crucial rest stops, where exhausted birds can feed and recover before continuing their journey. Unfortunately, rapid urbanisation and the draining of wetlands for agriculture or construction have shrunk many of these stopover sites, forcing birds to fly longer distances without rest.
Conservationists argue that protecting even small patches of wetland can make a significant difference, since migratory birds do not need vast reserves — just enough safe space to pause and refuel. Several countries have begun coordinating cross-border conservation efforts, recognising that a bird's journey does not respect political boundaries.
Wetlands and lakes along migratory routes serve as crucial rest stops, where exhausted birds can feed and recover before continuing their journey. Unfortunately, rapid urbanisation and the draining of wetlands for agriculture or construction have shrunk many of these stopover sites, forcing birds to fly longer distances without rest.
Conservationists argue that protecting even small patches of wetland can make a significant difference, since migratory birds do not need vast reserves — just enough safe space to pause and refuel. Several countries have begun coordinating cross-border conservation efforts, recognising that a bird's journey does not respect political boundaries.
1.1 What ability did scientists traditionally believe helped birds navigate? (1)
1.2 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a threat to migratory birds' stopover sites? (1)
1.3 According to recent research, what additional sense might birds use to navigate? (1)
1.4 Find a word from the passage (para 2) that means "used up all the energy or strength". (1)
1.5 State whether True or False: "Migratory birds require very large reserves in order to rest safely." (1)
1.6 Why are wetlands and lakes important for migratory birds, according to the passage? (1)
1.7 The phrase "does not respect political boundaries" suggests that bird migration is: (1)
1.8 Name one action some countries have taken to help protect migratory birds. (1)
1.9 In about 40 words, explain the challenges migratory birds face and how they might be addressed, based on the passage. (2)
Q2. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Should schools introduce a four-day week? The idea, once considered radical, is gaining traction as some institutions experiment with compressing the weekly curriculum into fewer, longer school days. Supporters claim that a shorter week reduces burnout among both students and teachers, giving everyone an extra day to rest, pursue hobbies, or catch up on personal responsibilities.
Critics, however, warn that longer school days could leave younger children too exhausted to concentrate by the final periods, and that working parents may struggle to arrange childcare on the additional day off. They also point out that a compressed schedule leaves less room for extracurricular activities squeezed into the existing timetable.
Early trials in a few pilot schools have shown mixed results: while student attendance and morale appeared to improve, some teachers reported difficulty covering the full syllabus within fewer days. Education boards are watching these experiments closely before recommending any wider rollout.
Critics, however, warn that longer school days could leave younger children too exhausted to concentrate by the final periods, and that working parents may struggle to arrange childcare on the additional day off. They also point out that a compressed schedule leaves less room for extracurricular activities squeezed into the existing timetable.
Early trials in a few pilot schools have shown mixed results: while student attendance and morale appeared to improve, some teachers reported difficulty covering the full syllabus within fewer days. Education boards are watching these experiments closely before recommending any wider rollout.
2.1 What is the main claim made by supporters of a four-day school week? (1)
2.2 According to critics, longer school days might cause younger children to: (1)
2.3 What childcare-related concern do critics raise? (1)
2.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "becoming more widely accepted or popular". (1)
2.5 State whether True or False: "All pilot schools reported entirely positive results with the four-day week." (1)
2.6 What difficulty did some teachers report during the pilot trials? (1)
2.7 The overall tone of the passage is: (1)
2.8 What improvement did some pilot schools notice in early trials? (1)
2.9 In about 40 words, summarise the two opposing viewpoints on the four-day school week discussed in the passage. (2)
SECTION B — WRITING SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR (20 Marks)
Q3. You are the Cultural Secretary of your school. Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting permission to organise an "Inter-House Talent Show", mentioning your plan and the resources you require. 5 Marks
— OR —
You have noticed frequent power cuts in your locality affecting students' studies. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing attention to this issue and requesting corrective action. 5 Marks
Q4. "Is competition in schools healthy or harmful for students?" Write an analytical paragraph in 120–150 words expressing your opinion, supported with reasons and examples. 5 Marks
— OR —
Your school is organising a Tree Plantation Drive. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, inviting students to participate, and also draft a short article (100–120 words) on "Why Every Student Should Care About the Environment". 5 Marks
Q5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate option: 4 Marks
Electric vehicles (a) _____ (become/becomes/becoming/has become) a common sight on city roads in recent years. Experts believe that (b) _____ (a/an/the/no article) falling cost of batteries has made them more affordable. Several state governments (c) _____ (is/are/was/has) now offering subsidies to encourage adoption, (d) _____ (so/but/because/although) the shortage of charging stations remains a concern in smaller towns.
Q6. Complete the following tasks as directed: 6 Marks
(a) Rewrite the sentence in reported speech: The librarian said, "Return the books before the due date." (2)
(b) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: If we _______ (know) about the delay, we would have left earlier. (2)
(c) Reorder the following words/phrases to form a meaningful sentence: hardly / had / begun / rain / the / when / arrived / we (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
"You think silence means I have nothing to say," he replied, still looking at the horizon. "Sometimes it means I am choosing my words carefully enough to be worth the wait."
7.1 Who is speaking in this extract, and what does he seem to value about silence? (2)
7.2 Explain the meaning of "choosing my words carefully enough to be worth the wait" in the context of the extract. (2)
7.3 Choose the option that best describes the speaker's tone: (1)
7.4 In about 40 words, explain how the theme of thoughtful communication is developed in the chapter this extract belongs to. (3)
Q8. Read the poetry extract below and answer the questions that follow. 6 Marks
The lighthouse does not chase the ships,
It only stands and holds its light,
Trusting each vessel finds its way
Safely home through the darkest night.
It only stands and holds its light,
Trusting each vessel finds its way
Safely home through the darkest night.
8.1 Identify the poetic device used in the phrase "the darkest night". (1)
8.2 What quality of the lighthouse is highlighted through its steady presence? (2)
8.3 What central idea about guidance and steadfastness does this extract convey? (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 an incident from any lesson where a character helps another without expecting anything in return.
9.2 How does misunderstanding or miscommunication drive the plot of any lesson you have studied?
9.3 Explain how symbolism is used to convey meaning in any poem from your textbook.
9.4 What does any one lesson teach about accepting change?
9.5 How does a character's inner conflict shape their actions in any chapter you have read?
Q10. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE): 6 Marks
10.1 "Understanding often comes only after we have walked in someone else's shoes." Discuss this statement with close reference to any character from your textbook.
— OR —
10.2 Explain how a character's relationship with nature or their surroundings shapes their outlook in any chapter 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 a moment from any chapter where a character learns something important about themselves.
11.2 How does contrast between two characters highlight the central theme of any story you have read?
11.3 What role does memory or the past play in shaping events in any story from the supplementary reader?
Q12. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE), based on the supplementary reader: 6 Marks
12.1 "Some lessons can only be learned through personal experience, not advice." Elaborate with reference to any character from your supplementary reader.
— OR —
12.2 Discuss how a character's sense of identity or belonging is explored in any one story from your supplementary reader.
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