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Read the following extract and… (English 2025 2/1/1 Q6b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 2/1/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 6(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 2/1/1, section C, question 6(b), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q6(b) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedThe Thief's Story

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

Later, he patted me on the head and said never mind, he’d teach me to cook. He also taught me to write my name and said he would soon teach me to write whole sentences and to add numbers. I was grateful. I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve.

It was quite pleasant working for Anil. I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day’s supplies, usually making a profit of about a rupee a day. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.
(The Thief’s Story)

  1. (i)

    What does the following line tell us about the character of Anil?
    “I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind.”

    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Which of the following best describes the realization Hari Singh had while working for Anil?
    (A) that he would become a rich person one day
    (B) that Anil was a very intelligent master but a miser
    (C) that he would be able to accomplish a lot if he gets educated
    (D) that Anil made a lot of money from his job

    1. (A)that he would become a rich person one day
    2. (B)that Anil was a very intelligent master but a miser
    3. (C)that he would be able to accomplish a lot if he gets educated
    4. (D)that Anil made a lot of money from his job
    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    What did Anil promise to teach Hari Singh, and how did Hari Singh feel about the opportunity to learn? Answer in about 40 words.

    2 marks
  4. (iv)

    Fill in the blank with the correct word from the brackets.
    The narrator earned extra money by making a/an __________ (profit/investment) of about a rupee a day.

    1 mark

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

Consider why Anil let the small profit pass.

Hint 2

Look at what Hari Singh says after Anil's promise.

Hint 3

The word needed is the gain made from buying supplies.

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. (i) Anil was generous and easygoing about money. He did not mind the small profit Hari Singh made, and he was kind in not exposing it.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Option (C): he would be able to accomplish a lot if he got educated.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) Anil promised to teach him to cook, to write his name and whole sentences, and to add numbers. Hari Singh felt grateful, believing that once he could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what he could achieve.

    2 marks

  4. (iv) profit

    1 mark

Answer: (i) Anil was generous and unbothered about small amounts; (ii) C; (iii) cooking, writing and addition; Hari felt grateful and hopeful; (iv) profit

Where the marks are

  • (i) Anil is generous/casual about money (1)
  • (ii) C (1)
  • (iii) What Anil promised to teach (1) and Hari's gratitude (1)
  • (iv) profit (1)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Thief's Story (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Thief's Story, 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.