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Answer any two of the following… (English 2025 2/3/1 Q9)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 2/3/1 · 6 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 9

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 2/3/1, section C, question 9, for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9 · 6 marks · Short answerThe Thief's Story

Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 – 50 words each: 2×3=6

  1. (i)

    How do Anil’s initial reaction to Hari Singh’s cooking and his subsequent actions reflect Anil’s evolving relationship with Hari Singh? (The Thief’s Story)

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    The unexpected encounter with the voice in the doorway affects Horace’s burglary attempt. Elaborate. (A Question of Trust)

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    The play, ‘The Book that Saved the Earth’, uses humour and misunderstandings between the Martians and Earthlings to explore the themes of perception and cultural differences. Comment.

    3 marks

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

Recall the key events of each chapter in order.

Hint 2

Find what the character or group misunderstood or changed in their view.

Hint 3

Write 40-50 words, connecting the events with what the question asks.

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 first reacts negatively to Hari Singh's bad cooking, but Hari's charm wins him over. Anil then becomes his mentor, teaching him to cook, read and write, and overlooks his petty stealing. His doubt turns into a supportive friendship with mutual respect.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) The voice asks about Horace's hay fever and suggests treatment, which throws his burglary off. Fascinated by the 'lady of the house' in red, he grows careless, removes his gloves and leaves fingerprints. He also reflects on the poor alarm and the safe behind the painting, and his attempt fails.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) The play is humorous in showing the Martians led by Think Tank, who misunderstand earthlings. In the library they mistake books for sandwiches and take a nursery rhyme literally as a threat. They postpone the invasion, believing earthlings more advanced, showing differing perceptions and cultural gaps.

    3 marks

Answer: Any two of the three answers as above (3 marks each)

Where the marks are

  • Any two relevant value points per chosen part, with expression (3 marks each for any two parts)

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 2/3/1: 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.