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Read the given extract… (Class 10 English SQP 2025-26, Q6b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2025-26 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2025-26: question 6(b)

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2025-26, section D, 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 Book that Saved the Earth

Read the given extract B and answer the questions.

B. Historian: ...You haven’t heard about the Martian invasion of 2040? Tsk, tsk. What do they teach children nowadays? Well, you know, the invasion never really happened, because a single book stopped it. What was the book, you ask? A noble encyclopaedia? A tome about rockets and missiles? A secret file from outer space? No, it was none of those. It was — but here, let me turn on the historiscope and show you what happened many centuries ago, in 2040. (She turns on projector, and points it left. Spotlight on Historian goes out...)
(The Book That saved the Earth)

  1. I

    What does the pause indicated by the dash in the line ‘It was — but here, let me turn on the historiscope and show you’ convey? i) a sense of impatience and frustration ii) a point of suspense and anticipation iii) a moment of confusion and hesitation iv) a sudden shift to lightheartedness v) a reflective moment of deep thought. A. i, ii, v B. Only ii C. iii and iv D. Only v

    1. (A)i, ii, v
    2. (B)Only ii
    3. (C)iii and iv
    4. (D)Only v
    1 mark
  2. II

    How do the stage directions, such as ‘Historian turns on projector’ and ‘Spotlight on Historian goes out,’ contribute to the atmosphere and understanding of the scene in this part of the play?

    2 marks
  3. III

    Select the option that correctly completes the following. The Historian dismisses the noble encyclopaedia and rockets because she wants to _____ a) convey the importance of scientific knowledge and military power in stopping the invasion. b) stress the surprising and unexpected nature of the book that stopped the invasion.

    1. (a)convey the importance of scientific knowledge and military power in stopping the invasion.
    2. (b)stress the surprising and unexpected nature of the book that stopped the invasion.
    1 mark
  4. IV

    What emotion is the Historian most likely conveying with the phrase ‘Tsk, tsk’?

    1 mark

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2025-26.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Think about what a dash does to the audience's expectation.

Hint 2

Consider what the projector and spotlight tell the audience to watch.

Hint 3

'Tsk, tsk' is a sound of mild criticism.

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) B. The dash creates a pause that builds suspense and anticipation before the revelation.

    1 mark

  2. (II) Turning on the projector signals a shift from narration to visual storytelling. The spotlight going out on the Historian moves attention to the next scene or characters. Together they heighten suspense, guide the audience's attention and set the pace of the play.

    2 marks

  3. (III) (b). She dismisses the obvious options to stress that the book was surprising and unexpected.

    1 mark

  4. (IV) Disappointment or disapproval, because the listener does not know about the invasion.

    1 mark

Answer: (I) B; (II) stage directions shift focus and build suspense; (III) b; (IV) disapproval/disappointment

Where the marks are

  • I: B (1 mark)
  • II: transition to visual storytelling, shift of focus, suspense and pacing (2 marks)
  • III: b (1 mark)
  • IV: disappointment/disapproval (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Book that Saved the Earth, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2025-26: 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.