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Sample Practice Paper — 8 (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
Board games, once thought to be fading into obsolescence in the age of smartphones, are experiencing a surprising revival. Cafes dedicated entirely to tabletop games have opened in several cities, drawing crowds of young adults who spend hours over strategy games, card games, and puzzles instead of scrolling through their phones.
Psychologists suggest that the appeal lies in the face-to-face interaction that board games demand, something increasingly rare in a world dominated by digital communication. Unlike video games, tabletop games force players to read expressions, negotiate openly, and sit with the discomfort of losing in front of others — skills that some argue are quietly eroding among younger generations.
Retailers have noticed the shift too, with independent game shops reporting steady growth even as other physical stores struggle. Still, sceptics caution that this may be a passing trend fuelled by social media aesthetics rather than a genuine return to slower, offline forms of leisure.
Psychologists suggest that the appeal lies in the face-to-face interaction that board games demand, something increasingly rare in a world dominated by digital communication. Unlike video games, tabletop games force players to read expressions, negotiate openly, and sit with the discomfort of losing in front of others — skills that some argue are quietly eroding among younger generations.
Retailers have noticed the shift too, with independent game shops reporting steady growth even as other physical stores struggle. Still, sceptics caution that this may be a passing trend fuelled by social media aesthetics rather than a genuine return to slower, offline forms of leisure.
1.1 What was previously believed about the future of board games? (1)
1.2 Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for board games' appeal? (1)
1.3 According to psychologists, what skill might be quietly eroding among younger generations? (1)
1.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "the state of no longer being used". (1)
1.5 State whether True or False: "All sceptics agree that the board game revival is a lasting and genuine trend." (1)
1.6 What have independent game shops reported, according to the passage? (1)
1.7 The phrase "sit with the discomfort of losing" suggests that board games help players develop: (1)
1.8 Name one type of establishment mentioned that caters to the board game revival. (1)
1.9 In about 40 words, explain why board games are becoming popular again, based on the passage. (2)
Q2. Read the passage given below.10 Marks
Should students be given grades at all, or should schools move towards descriptive feedback instead? A number of educators are questioning whether letter grades and percentages truly capture a student's growth, or whether they simply encourage comparison and anxiety. Supporters of grade-free assessment argue that detailed written feedback helps students understand exactly what to improve.
Opponents counter that grades provide a quick, universally understood measure of performance that colleges, employers and even students themselves rely on for clarity. They worry that abolishing grades entirely could make it harder to track progress consistently across different teachers and subjects.
A middle path adopted by some schools involves combining narrative feedback with simplified grade bands, aiming to preserve clarity while reducing the intense focus on exact numbers. Early adopters report that students engage more deeply with feedback when grades are de-emphasised, though tracking long-term academic outcomes will take more time.
Opponents counter that grades provide a quick, universally understood measure of performance that colleges, employers and even students themselves rely on for clarity. They worry that abolishing grades entirely could make it harder to track progress consistently across different teachers and subjects.
A middle path adopted by some schools involves combining narrative feedback with simplified grade bands, aiming to preserve clarity while reducing the intense focus on exact numbers. Early adopters report that students engage more deeply with feedback when grades are de-emphasised, though tracking long-term academic outcomes will take more time.
2.1 What concern do educators raise about traditional letter grades? (1)
2.2 According to opponents of grade-free assessment, grades provide: (1)
2.3 What "middle path" have some schools adopted? (1)
2.4 Find a word from the passage (para 1) that means "people who support an idea". (1)
2.5 State whether True or False: "All schools have completely abolished grades in favour of narrative feedback." (1)
2.6 What have early adopters of the middle-path approach reported? (1)
2.7 The overall tone of the passage is: (1)
2.8 What worry do opponents of grade-free assessment have regarding progress tracking? (1)
2.9 In about 40 words, summarise the two opposing viewpoints on grading discussed in the passage. (2)
SECTION B — WRITING SKILLS WITH GRAMMAR (20 Marks)
Q3. You are the Sports Captain of your school. Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting permission to organise an "Annual Inter-School Sports Meet", mentioning your plan and the facilities required. 5 Marks
— OR —
You have noticed that stray dogs in your neighbourhood are not being cared for properly, creating safety concerns. Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper drawing attention to this issue and suggesting solutions. 5 Marks
Q4. "Does technology make students more or less independent thinkers?" Write an analytical paragraph in 120–150 words expressing your opinion, supported with reasons and examples. 5 Marks
— OR —
Your school is organising a Science Exhibition. Write a notice, in not more than 50 words, inviting students to register their projects, and also draft a short article (100–120 words) on "How Curiosity Drives Innovation". 5 Marks
Q5. Read the passage given below and fill in the blanks by choosing the most appropriate option: 4 Marks
Remote work culture (a) _____ (change/changes/changing/has changed) significantly since it first became widespread. Experts believe that (b) _____ (a/an/the/no article) improved video-conferencing technology has made remote collaboration far easier. Several companies (c) _____ (is/are/was/has) now offering permanent hybrid options, (d) _____ (so/but/because/although) some managers still prefer traditional in-office supervision.
Q6. Complete the following tasks as directed: 6 Marks
(a) Rewrite the sentence in reported speech: The manager said, "Complete the report by tomorrow evening." (2)
(b) Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: If the weather _______ (improve), we would go for the picnic. (2)
(c) Reorder the following words/phrases to form a meaningful sentence: no / had / idea / we / the / event / how / successful / would / be (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 is easy to be brave when no one is watching," she murmured, tracing the edge of the photograph. "The real test comes when courage costs you something in front of the very people whose opinion you fear losing."
7.1 Who is speaking in this extract, and what does she seem to believe about true courage? (2)
7.2 Explain the meaning of "courage costs you something" 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 true courage 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 question the dark,
Buried deep where no eye can see;
It trusts the silence, roots, and waits —
Then rises, patient, into a tree.
Buried deep where no eye can see;
It trusts the silence, roots, and waits —
Then rises, patient, into a tree.
8.1 Identify the poetic device used in the phrase "roots, and waits". (1)
8.2 What quality of the seed is highlighted through its journey in darkness? (2)
8.3 What central idea about patience and growth 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 stands up for someone else despite personal risk.
9.2 How does a character's pride or stubbornness affect the outcome of events in any lesson you have studied?
9.3 Explain how repetition or rhythm strengthens the meaning of any poem from your textbook.
9.4 What does any one lesson teach about forgiveness or letting go?
9.5 How does humour lighten a serious theme in any chapter you have read?
Q10. Answer the following in about 100–120 words (attempt any ONE): 6 Marks
10.1 "Courage is rarely loud; more often, it is a quiet, deliberate choice." Discuss this statement with close reference to any character from your textbook.
— OR —
10.2 Explain how a character's journey — literal or emotional — shapes their understanding of themselves 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 faces the consequences of a past decision.
11.2 How does dialogue reveal character in any story you have read?
11.3 What role does hope or optimism 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 "We often understand the value of something only after we risk losing it." Elaborate with reference to any character from your supplementary reader.
— OR —
12.2 Discuss how a character overcomes a personal weakness or flaw in any one story from your supplementary reader.
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