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Sample Practice Paper — 9 (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
Handwriting, once considered an essential life skill, is quietly fading from daily use as more communication shifts to keyboards and touchscreens. Some educators now question whether extensive handwriting practice still deserves the classroom hours it traditionally received, especially as typing becomes the primary mode of writing in higher education and most workplaces.
Neuroscientists, however, point to research suggesting that the physical act of writing by hand engages the brain differently than typing, potentially aiding memory retention and comprehension. This has led a few schools to preserve dedicated handwriting periods even as they expand digital literacy programmes elsewhere in the curriculum.
Parents remain divided on the issue. Some worry that children who rarely write by hand may struggle with fine motor skills or find themselves at a disadvantage during handwritten examinations, while others feel that mastering digital tools is a more practical use of limited classroom time.
Neuroscientists, however, point to research suggesting that the physical act of writing by hand engages the brain differently than typing, potentially aiding memory retention and comprehension. This has led a few schools to preserve dedicated handwriting periods even as they expand digital literacy programmes elsewhere in the curriculum.
Parents remain divided on the issue. Some worry that children who rarely write by hand may struggle with fine motor skills or find themselves at a disadvantage during handwritten examinations, while others feel that mastering digital tools is a more practical use of limited classroom time.
1.1 What change in communication has affected the use of handwriting, according to the passage? (1)
1.2 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible benefit of handwriting? (1)
1.3 Why are some educators questioning the value of handwriting practice, according to the passage? (1)
1.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "gradually disappearing". (1)
1.5 State whether True or False: "All parents agree that digital tools are more important than handwriting." (1)
1.6 What concern do some parents have about children who rarely write by hand? (1)
1.7 The phrase "engages the brain differently" suggests that handwriting: (1)
1.8 Name one reason some schools have preserved dedicated handwriting periods. (1)
1.9 In about 40 words, explain the debate around handwriting versus digital writing, based on the passage. (2)
Q2. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Should schools replace traditional grading with detailed written feedback instead of letter or number scores? Advocates of feedback-based assessment argue that grades often reduce a student's effort to a single symbol, discouraging those who receive lower marks and offering little insight into how to actually improve.
Critics counter that written feedback, while valuable, is time-consuming for teachers to produce consistently across large classes, and that grades still serve an important practical purpose — helping students, parents and institutions compare performance in a clear, standardised way.
A compromise gaining ground in some schools involves combining brief grades with short, targeted comments highlighting one strength and one area for improvement. Early adopters report that this approach preserves clarity while still giving students actionable guidance, though it does demand more time from already stretched teaching staff.
Critics counter that written feedback, while valuable, is time-consuming for teachers to produce consistently across large classes, and that grades still serve an important practical purpose — helping students, parents and institutions compare performance in a clear, standardised way.
A compromise gaining ground in some schools involves combining brief grades with short, targeted comments highlighting one strength and one area for improvement. Early adopters report that this approach preserves clarity while still giving students actionable guidance, though it does demand more time from already stretched teaching staff.
2.1 What is the main criticism of traditional grading mentioned by its opponents? (1)
2.2 According to critics, written feedback is difficult to produce because it is: (1)
2.3 What practical purpose do grades still serve, according to critics? (1)
2.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "people who publicly support an idea or cause". (1)
2.5 State whether True or False: "The compromise approach completely eliminates the use of grades." (1)
2.6 What does the compromise approach combine, according to the passage? (1)
2.7 The overall tone of the passage is: (1)
2.8 What challenge does the compromise approach still present for teachers? (1)
2.9 In about 40 words, summarise the two opposing viewpoints on grading versus feedback discussed in the passage. (2)
SECTION B — WRITING SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR (20 Marks)
Q3. You are the Secretary of the Literary Club of your school. Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting permission to organise a "Creative Writing Workshop", mentioning your plan and the resource person you wish to invite. 5 Marks
— OR —
You recently noticed that the public library in your area closes too early for working students to visit. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing attention to this issue and suggesting a change in timings. 5 Marks
Q4. "Is it better to have a few close friends or many acquaintances?" Write an analytical paragraph in 120–150 words expressing your opinion, supported with reasons and examples. 5 Marks
— OR —
Your school is organising a Career Guidance Fair. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, inviting students to attend, and also draft a short article (100–120 words) on "Why Early Career Planning Matters for Students". 5 Marks
Q5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate option: 4 Marks
Vertical farming (a) _____ (attract/attracts/attracting/has attracted) growing interest from investors in recent years. Experts believe that (b) _____ (a/an/the/no article) shortage of arable land near cities has made the idea increasingly attractive. Several start-ups (c) _____ (is/are/was/has) now building multi-storey farms in urban warehouses, (d) _____ (so/but/because/although) high initial costs remain a barrier for smaller businesses.
Q6. Complete the following tasks as directed: 6 Marks
(a) Rewrite the sentence in reported speech: The manager said, "Complete the inventory check before the store opens." (2)
(b) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: If she _______ (practise) daily, she would have won the competition. (2)
(c) Reorder the following words/phrases to form a meaningful sentence: little / did / know / we / that / help / was / on / its / way (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 keep apologising for asking questions," the teacher said, closing the book gently. "But a question asked in earnest is never a burden. It is the surest sign that a mind is still awake."
7.1 Who is speaking in this extract, and what does the speaker seem to value in students? (2)
7.2 Explain the meaning of "the surest sign that a mind is still awake" 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 curiosity and questioning 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 seed does not demand the sun,
Nor question why the soil is dark;
It waits, it trusts, it slowly climbs —
And breaks the ground to find its mark.
Nor question why the soil is dark;
It waits, it trusts, it slowly climbs —
And breaks the ground to find its mark.
8.1 Identify the poetic device used in the phrase "it waits, it trusts, it slowly climbs". (1)
8.2 What quality of the seed is highlighted through its patient growth? (2)
8.3 What central idea about trust and perseverance 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's curiosity leads to an important discovery.
9.2 How does mentorship or guidance shape the journey of a character in any lesson you have studied?
9.3 Explain how personification is used to convey meaning in any poem from your textbook.
9.4 What does any one lesson teach about the value of self-belief?
9.5 How does a character overcome self-doubt in any chapter you have read?
Q10. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE): 6 Marks
10.1 "A good question can matter more than a ready answer." Discuss this statement with close reference to any character from your textbook.
— OR —
10.2 Explain how a character's determination to learn or improve shapes the events of 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 takes a risk to pursue something they believe in.
11.2 How does a character's family background influence their choices in any story you have read?
11.3 What role does hope play in shaping the outcome of 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 "Curiosity, once awakened, is difficult to put back to sleep." Elaborate with reference to any character from your supplementary reader.
— OR —
12.2 Discuss how a character's ambition drives the plot of any one story from your supplementary reader.
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