Skip to content

Answer ANY TWO of the… (Class 10 English SQP 2025-26, Q9)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2025-26-sqp-q9

EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2025-26 · 6 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2025-26: question 9

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2025-26, section D, question 9, for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9 · 6 marks · Short answerThe Necklace

Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. 2x3=6

  1. I

    How does ‘The Necklace’ illustrate the significance of honesty as the key element for leading a happy and stress-free life?

    3 marks
  2. II

    Briefly evaluate the validity of the adage ‘Values are caught, not taught’, in the context of the relationship between Anil and Hari Singh in ‘The Thief’s Story’.

    3 marks
  3. III

    Griffin’s experiences moments of comfort and normalcy while being invisible. How do these fleeting moments impact his sense of identity and his actions throughout 'Footprints Without Feet'?

    3 marks

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 of the key event in the story and its consequence.

Hint 2

Support your point with one specific incident from the text.

Hint 3

Write in 40-50 words and end by linking back to the question.

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) Matilda replaces the necklace and never tells Madame Forestier the truth. This dishonesty costs her ten years of hardship, worry and fear of discovery, and ruins her health and youth. Had she been honest, she would have been spared the suffering. The story shows that honesty brings peace of mind.

    3 marks

  2. (II) The adage holds true in the story. Anil never lectures Hari Singh. His trust, his kindness in tolerating the failed cooking attempt and his teaching of reading and writing move Hari Singh deeply. These actions teach honesty better than words, and Hari Singh returns the money and chooses integrity.

    3 marks

  3. (III) Griffin's moments of warmth and food bring brief normalcy but make his isolation clearer. They deepen his frustration and his longing for connection. His desperation leads him to steal, disguise himself and finally turn violent. His identity erodes and he becomes detached from society.

    3 marks

Answer: Model answers to all three sub-parts (I)-(III) are given; any two are required.

Where the marks are

  • (I) Matilda's lie leads to years of stress and fear, and honesty would have given peace (2 marks) with expression (1 mark)
  • (II) Anil's silent trust and kindness change Hari Singh, which shows that values are caught (2 marks) with expression (1 mark)
  • (III) Fleeting comfort deepens Griffin's isolation and drives his desperate actions (2 marks) with expression (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

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