Skip to content

Read the following passage… (English 2025 2/2/1 Q1)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2025-2-2-1-q1-carefully-cinnamon-spice-obtained-inner

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

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 1

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

Q1 · 10 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedReading (unseen passages)

Read the following passage carefully:

(1) Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of cinnamon trees. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed. When it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks. These sticks can be ground to form cinnamon powder. The spice, consisting of the dried inner bark, is brown in colour and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavour. The distinct aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents including eugenol.

(2) There are two main types of cinnamon: Cassia and Ceylon. The two have different nutritional profiles. Ceylon cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka. Some people call it "true cinnamon." Cassia cinnamon, on the other hand, originates from southern China. Cassia is cheaper than Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon has a robust, rich, somewhat bitter flavour while Ceylon is sweeter and lighter in flavor.

(3) Cinnamon was once more valuable than gold. In Egypt it was sought for embalming and religious practices. In medieval Europe it was used for religious rites and as a flavouring agent. Later it was the most profitable spice in the Dutch East India Company trade.

(4) Cinnamon is widely used as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, hot chocolate and traditional foods.

(5) Cinnamon is a spice that has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. In recent years, modern science has started to confirm many of the potential health benefits associated with cinnamon. Cinnamon has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which is why it's often found in dental-hygiene products and is sold as cinnamon supplements. It is also a good source of antioxidants, substances that inhibit the effect of free radicals (reactive atoms that can damage cells). Due to its anti-inflammatory nature, cinnamon is currently being researched for its potential to fight Alzheimer's disease and decrease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer.

(6) Studies also suggest that cinnamon has anti-diabetic properties, and may offer protection from cancer and cardiovascular disease, among other conditions. However, more evidence is needed to confirm cinnamon's benefits. In the short term, consuming moderate amounts of cinnamon as a spice or as a supplement seems to be safe for most people. However, cinnamon contains coumarin. This is a natural flavouring, but it also plays a role in creating warfarin, the common blood-thinning drug. Consuming too much coumarin can lead to liver damage and affect coagulation.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:

  1. (i)

    Complete the sentence appropriately. The characteristic aroma and flavour of cinnamon originate from its essential oil, primarily composed of ___________. Paragraph (1)

    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how cinnamon derived from the trees is made fit to be used as a spice. Paragraph (1)

    2 marks
  3. (iii)

    Mention one point of difference between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon. Paragraph (2)

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    Complete the sentence appropriately. The author says that cinnamon was once more valuable than gold because ___________. Paragraph (3)

    1 mark
  5. (v)

    What is the tone of the writer in the given lines from paragraph (5)? Rationalize your response in about 40 words.

    "Cinnamon is a spice that has been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years."

    2 marks
  6. (vi)

    The writer's use of the phrases 'modern science has started to confirm' in paragraph (5) and 'more evidence is needed to confirm' in paragraph (6) suggests that the benefits of cinnamon are:
    1. proven
    2. scientific
    3. uncertain
    4. controversial
    5. harmful

    Select the correct option:

    1. (A)1 and 3
    2. (B)2 and 4
    3. (C)only 3
    4. (D)only 5
    1 mark
  7. (vii)

    Which of the following statements about cinnamon and its health benefits is true? Paragraph (6)

    1. (A)Modern science has evidence to prove that cinnamon has many anti-diabetic properties, and it offers complete protection from cancer and cardiovascular disease.
    2. (B)Cinnamon lacks antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it unsuitable for dental hygiene products.
    3. (C)Antioxidants found in cinnamon have no effect on free radicals in the body.
    4. (D)Cinnamon's anti-inflammatory properties are being researched for its potential benefits in Alzheimer's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer.
    1 mark
  8. (viii)

    Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude toward cinnamon and its uses?

    1. (A)Finds cinnamon to be a prized condiment which can be used in almost all food items.
    2. (B)Believes that cinnamon should be used by everyone, everyday.
    3. (C)Recognizes that cinnamon has many useful properties, including health benefits.
    4. (D)Believes that cinnamon should only be used as a medicinal supplement.
    1 mark

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

Hints

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

Hint 1

Go back to the paragraph named in each sub-question and find the exact lines.

Hint 2

For (v), first name the writer's feeling about cinnamon, then support it with the line.

Hint 3

For (vi)-(viii), eliminate options that contradict the passage or are too extreme.

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) cinnamaldehyde (along with other constituents such as eugenol).

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of the trees and extracting the inner bark. The woody parts are removed and the bark is dried, so that it curls into rolls called cinnamon sticks. These sticks are then ground into cinnamon powder for use as a spice.

    2 marks

  3. (iii) Ceylon cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka and is sweeter and lighter in flavour, whereas Cassia cinnamon comes from southern China, is cheaper and has a robust, somewhat bitter flavour (any one point).

    1 mark

  4. (iv) it was sought for embalming and religious practices in Egypt, used in religious rites and as a flavouring in medieval Europe, and was the most profitable spice in the Dutch East India Company trade.

    1 mark

  5. (v) Tone: appreciative/informative. Rationale: the writer states, as a fact, that cinnamon has been valued for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. This praises its worth and gives historical information in a positive, formal manner.

    2 marks

  6. (vi) Option (C): 'started to confirm' and 'more evidence is needed' show that the benefits are not yet fully established, so they are uncertain.

    1 mark

  7. (vii) Option (D): paragraph 5 says cinnamon's anti-inflammatory nature is being researched for Alzheimer's, IBS and colon cancer. The other options contradict the passage.

    1 mark

  8. (viii) Option (C): the writer describes its many uses and health benefits and also cautions about coumarin, so the attitude is balanced recognition of its useful properties.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) cinnamaldehyde; (ii) bark extracted, woody parts removed, dried into sticks, ground to powder; (iii) Ceylon is sweeter/lighter, Cassia is cheaper/bitter; (iv) it was used for embalming, religious rites and was the most profitable spice in trade; (v) appreciative/informative; (vi) C; (vii) D; (viii) C

Where the marks are

  • (i) cinnamaldehyde (1 mark)
  • (ii) bark extraction, removal of woody parts, drying into sticks and grinding (2 marks)
  • (iii) one valid difference (1 mark)
  • (iv) reason from the Egypt/Europe/Dutch trade uses (1 mark)
  • (v) tone (1 mark) and rationale (1 mark)
  • (vi) C (1 mark)
  • (vii) D (1 mark)
  • (viii) C (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Reading (unseen passages), one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 board paper, set 2/2/1: 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.