CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 1
Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 2/3/1, 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) With the growing focus on sustainable living, the importance of kitchen gardens in urban regions has garnered greater acknowledgement. One significance of kitchen gardens in urban areas is their role in promoting food security. Rapid urbanization has led to increased distances between food production centres and urban settlements, resulting in longer food supply chains and a decrease in the freshness and nutritional value of food.
(2) By having a kitchen garden, urban dwellers can grow their own fresh produce at home, making good use of empty tins, old utensils, and clay flower pots, ensuring a constant supply of nutritious food for themselves and their families. This activity not only saves money and time but can also provide a healthy, practical, and environmentally friendly hobby for the whole family.
(3) Not only do kitchen gardens contribute to food security, but they also play a crucial role in environmental sustainability. Traditional agricultural practices often involve the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive irrigation methods, which may have adverse effects on the environment. However, kitchen gardens promote organic farming, reducing the use of harmful chemicals and preserving soil health.
(4) In addition to fostering a sustainable environment, kitchen gardens provide numerous health benefits to urban dwellers. The availability of fresh and organic produce from the garden ensures a higher intake of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, promoting better overall health and well-being.
(5) Furthermore, kitchen gardens have proven to be an effective tool for education and community development. They provide an opportunity for individuals to reconnect with nature and learn about the basics of agriculture. Besides providing fruits and vegetables, gardening provides an aesthetic and therapeutic exercise that helps relieve stress. The physical activity involved in tending to a garden helps individuals stay active, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues.
(6) By involving children in gardening activities, they can develop an appreciation for the environment and learn essential life skills. Moreover, kitchen gardens can also serve as a platform for community engagement, fostering social interactions and promoting a sense of belonging among urban residents.
(7) Despite the numerous benefits of kitchen gardens, establishing and maintaining one in urban areas can be challenging. Limited space, lack of sunlight, and soil quality issues are common obstacles that urban gardeners face. However, innovative solutions such as vertical gardening, hydroponics, and rooftop gardens have emerged to overcome these challenges.
(8) It is imperative to provide support and resources to encourage urban gardening initiatives as this can transform urban areas into sustainable havens where residents not only live but thrive in harmony with nature.
Answer the following questions, based on the above passage:
- (i)1 mark
What does the writer’s use of phrases like ‘in urban regions kitchen gardens have garnered great acknowledgement’ suggest about kitchen gardening today? (Paragraph (1))
- (A)It has reduced inflation.
- (B)It is an expensive hobby.
- (C)It provides nutritious food.
- (D)It does not minimize adverse effects on the environment.
- (ii)1 mark
Complete the following with a suitable explanation. Growing a kitchen garden is cost effective because __________. (Paragraph (2))
- (iii)2 marks
Identify two differences between the methods adopted in traditional farming and kitchen gardens. (Paragraph (3))
- (iv)1 mark
Substitute the underlined word with the correct word from Paragraph (4). “The local residents’ nurturing of their surrounding flora and fauna helps to create awareness about civic responsibilities.”
- (v)2 marks
Tending to a kitchen garden has many health benefits. Explain in about 40 words. (Paragraphs (4) and (5))
- (vi)1 mark
Select the option that best reflects the concept that kitchen gardening is an effective educational tool for children. (Paragraph (5))
- (A)It contributes to effective community development.
- (B)It helps develop sensitivity and appreciation for nature.
- (vii)1 mark
What hurdles do kitchen gardeners face? Mention any two. (Paragraph (7))
- (viii)1 mark
State whether the following statement is True or False: Kitchen gardening should be practised by everyone living in the cities.
Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 2/3/1.
Hints
Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.
Hint 1
Reread the paragraph named in each sub-part and look for the exact phrase.
Hint 2
For (iii), contrast the practices named in paragraph 3: fertilizers, irrigation, effect on the environment.
Hint 3
For (iv), find a word in paragraph 4 that means nurturing or promoting.
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 mark
(i) Option C. Kitchen gardens are now widely acknowledged because they provide nutritious food, which supports food security.
- 1 mark
(ii) ...because the resources already available at home, such as empty tins, old utensils and clay flower pots, are used to grow the vegetables.
- 2 marks
(iii) Traditional farming uses synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, whereas kitchen gardens promote organic farming. Traditional farming uses intensive irrigation with adverse effects on the environment, whereas kitchen gardens use very few harmful chemicals and preserve soil health.
- 1 mark
(iv) fostering
- 2 marks
(v) A kitchen garden gives fresh, organic produce rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, which improves overall health. Gardening is also a therapeutic exercise that relieves stress. The physical work keeps people active and lowers the risk of obesity and related health problems.
- 1 mark
(vi) Option B. Involving children in gardening helps them develop sensitivity and appreciation for nature and learn life skills.
- 1 mark
(vii) Limited space; lack of sunlight (soil quality problems is also acceptable).
- 1 mark
(viii) True
Answer: (i) C; (ii) resources at home like tins, old utensils and pots are used; (iii) organic vs synthetic fertilizers, and no intensive irrigation vs intensive irrigation; (iv) fostering; (v) fresh nutritious food, stress relief, activity reduces obesity; (vi) B; (vii) limited space, lack of sunlight; (viii) True
Where the marks are
- (i) Chooses C (1 mark)
- (ii) Mentions use of home resources such as tins and pots (1 mark)
- (iii) Two valid differences (1+1 marks)
- (iv) fostering (1 mark)
- (v) Two health benefits explained (1+1 marks)
- (vi) Chooses B (1 mark)
- (vii) Any two hurdles (1 mark)
- (viii) True (1 mark)
Revise the chapter
- Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)
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