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In ‘The Ball Poem’, Berryman… (Class 10 English 2025, Q10b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 2/1/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 10(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 2/1/1, section C, question 10(b), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q10(b) · 6 marks · Long answerThe Ball Poem

In ‘The Ball Poem’, Berryman explores the themes of loss, growing up, and transformation. Mandela also experienced loss of freedom and suffering along with his countrymen during his growing years on the basis of his race and colour.
Compare and contrast the commonality of themes in both the texts.
(The Ball Poem and Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)
Answer in 100–120 words.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 2/1/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Name what is lost in each text.

Hint 2

How does each person respond to the loss?

Hint 3

Finish with one similarity and one difference.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. The Ball Poem: A boy loses his ball and stands helpless. Berryman shows that loss is part of growing up. The boy must learn to bear pain, and that loss, material or human, will come again; he must accept responsibility and move on.

    2 marks

  2. Long Walk to Freedom: Mandela recalls how Black South Africans were deprived of freedom, exploited and humiliated under apartheid. In his inaugural speech as the first Black President he declared that discrimination would end and democracy would be established.

    2 marks

  3. Common theme: Both texts deal with loss, suffering and growth. Both teach resilience: the boy learns to endure, and Mandela turns his suffering into struggle.

    1 mark

  4. Contrast and conclusion: The ball poem teaches acceptance of personal loss, whereas Mandela's text teaches fighting for lost freedom as a human right.

    1 mark

Answer: Both texts treat loss and growth; the poem teaches acceptance of loss, whereas Mandela's account teaches resistance against the loss of freedom.

Where the marks are

  • At least one value point from each text (3 marks content with conclusion)
  • Expression and coherence (2 marks)
  • Accuracy (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Ball Poem (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Ball Poem, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 board paper, set 2/1/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.