www.careerinformationportal.in
APNA CAREER PORTAL
www.careerinformationportal.in
Sample Practice Paper — 6 (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
Street food has always been part of India's urban culture, but in recent years it has begun to attract an unexpected audience — food bloggers, tourists, and even fine-dining chefs looking for inspiration. What was once dismissed as unhygienic or unrefined is now being celebrated for its bold flavours and centuries-old techniques passed down through generations of vendors.
Several cities have started organising "street food walks," where visitors are guided through narrow lanes to sample regional specialities, often prepared in front of them on small carts and stalls. Municipal bodies in a few metros have also introduced food safety training and hygiene certification for vendors, hoping to formalise an otherwise informal economy without stripping it of its charm.
Not everyone welcomes this shift. Some vendors worry that rising rents near tourist hotspots and stricter regulations could push out the very people who built the tradition in the first place. Still, most agree that street food, once seen as a last resort for a quick bite, is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
Several cities have started organising "street food walks," where visitors are guided through narrow lanes to sample regional specialities, often prepared in front of them on small carts and stalls. Municipal bodies in a few metros have also introduced food safety training and hygiene certification for vendors, hoping to formalise an otherwise informal economy without stripping it of its charm.
Not everyone welcomes this shift. Some vendors worry that rising rents near tourist hotspots and stricter regulations could push out the very people who built the tradition in the first place. Still, most agree that street food, once seen as a last resort for a quick bite, is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
1.1 According to the passage, who has recently begun taking interest in street food? (1)
1.2 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an initiative for street vendors? (1)
1.3 What was street food traditionally dismissed as, according to the passage? (1)
1.4 Find a word from the passage (para 2) that means "to make something official or structured". (1)
1.5 State whether True or False: "All vendors welcome the new regulations and rising rents near tourist areas." (1)
1.6 What concern do some vendors have about the changes taking place? (1)
1.7 The phrase "getting the recognition it deserves" suggests that street food is now viewed as: (1)
1.8 Name one group of people mentioned who are now drawn to street food, apart from tourists. (1)
1.9 In about 40 words, explain how perceptions of street food have changed, based on the passage. (2)
Q2. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Should students be allowed to choose their own seating in classrooms? Many educators are revisiting old assumptions about rows and fixed seating charts, arguing that flexible arrangements can improve engagement and collaboration among students. Advocates of choice-based seating say it gives students a sense of ownership over their learning space.
However, several teachers caution that unrestricted freedom can lead to cliques forming, with quieter or less popular students being left out. They argue that a hybrid approach — occasional flexibility combined with periodic teacher-assigned seating — offers the best of both worlds, encouraging social skills while still building a sense of comfort.
A handful of schools have piloted "flexible seating zones," complete with bean bags, standing desks and cushioned corners, alongside traditional desks. Initial results show improved participation in some classes, though experts note that the success of such changes depends heavily on how well teachers manage the transition.
However, several teachers caution that unrestricted freedom can lead to cliques forming, with quieter or less popular students being left out. They argue that a hybrid approach — occasional flexibility combined with periodic teacher-assigned seating — offers the best of both worlds, encouraging social skills while still building a sense of comfort.
A handful of schools have piloted "flexible seating zones," complete with bean bags, standing desks and cushioned corners, alongside traditional desks. Initial results show improved participation in some classes, though experts note that the success of such changes depends heavily on how well teachers manage the transition.
2.1 What is the main argument in favour of choice-based seating? (1)
2.2 According to cautious teachers, unrestricted seating freedom can lead to: (1)
2.3 What hybrid approach do some teachers suggest? (1)
2.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "people who publicly support an idea". (1)
2.5 State whether True or False: "All schools have already adopted flexible seating zones." (1)
2.6 What does the success of flexible seating changes largely depend upon? (1)
2.7 The overall tone of the passage is: (1)
2.8 Name one feature of a "flexible seating zone" mentioned in the passage. (1)
2.9 In about 40 words, summarise the two opposing viewpoints on classroom seating discussed in the passage. (2)
SECTION B — WRITING SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR (20 Marks)
Q3. You are the Head Boy/Head Girl of your school. Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting permission to set up a "Lost and Found" desk in school, mentioning your plan and how it will be managed. 5 Marks
— OR —
You recently noticed that a park near your locality is poorly maintained and unsafe for children. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing attention to this issue and suggesting improvements. 5 Marks
Q4. "Is social media doing more harm than good to teenagers?" Write an analytical paragraph in 120–150 words expressing your opinion, 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, inviting participants, and also draft a short article (100–120 words) on "The Importance of Public Speaking Skills for Students". 5 Marks
Q5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate option: 4 Marks
Urban farming (a) _____ (become/becomes/becoming/has become) increasingly popular among city dwellers in recent years. Experts believe that (b) _____ (a/an/the/no article) rising cost of fresh vegetables has encouraged more people to grow their own food. Several housing societies (c) _____ (is/are/was/has) now setting aside rooftop space for community gardens, (d) _____ (so/but/because/although) lack of sunlight remains a challenge in densely built areas.
Q6. Complete the following tasks as directed: 6 Marks
(a) Rewrite the sentence in reported speech: The doctor said, "Drink plenty of water and rest for two days." (2)
(b) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: If they _______ (leave) earlier, they would have caught the train. (2)
(c) Reorder the following words/phrases to form a meaningful sentence: rarely / seen / such / dedication / have / I / a / student / in (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
"Fear," the old man said, setting down his stick, "is not something you defeat once and for all. It returns, again and again, disguised as doubt. What matters is not whether you feel it, but what you choose to do while you feel it."
7.1 Who is speaking in this extract, and what does he seem to believe about fear? (2)
7.2 Explain the meaning of "fear... disguised as doubt" 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 courage in the face of fear 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 old tree does not chase the wind,
Nor mourn the leaves it cannot hold;
It bends, it sways, it stands again —
A quiet strength, patient and bold.
Nor mourn the leaves it cannot hold;
It bends, it sways, it stands again —
A quiet strength, patient and bold.
8.1 Identify the poetic device used in the phrase "It bends, it sways, it stands again". (1)
8.2 What quality of the tree is highlighted through its response to the wind? (2)
8.3 What central idea about resilience 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 shows courage in a difficult situation.
9.2 How does sacrifice or selflessness play a role in resolving conflict in any lesson you have studied?
9.3 Explain how contrast is used to convey meaning in any poem from your textbook.
9.4 What does any one lesson teach about the value of honesty or integrity?
9.5 How does a character's relationship with another character shape the outcome of any chapter you have read?
Q10. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE): 6 Marks
10.1 "True strength lies in quiet perseverance, not loud action." Discuss this statement with close reference to any character from your textbook.
— OR —
10.2 Explain how a turning point or key decision changes the direction of events 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 makes a difficult moral choice.
11.2 How does the setting influence the events or mood of any story you have read?
11.3 What lesson about friendship or loyalty is conveyed through any story in the supplementary reader?
Q12. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE), based on the supplementary reader: 6 Marks
12.1 "Real change often begins with a single act of defiance." Elaborate with reference to any character from your supplementary reader.
— OR —
12.2 Discuss how a character's growth or transformation is portrayed in any one story from your supplementary reader.
Page 1 of 1 | www.careerinformationportal.in
