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Read the following text: (1)… (Class 10 English 2026, Q2)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/1/1 · 10 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 2

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/1/1, section A, question 2, for 10 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q2 · 10 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedReading (unseen passages)

Read the following text:

(1) Rate of Internet Reach in India: 2014-2024
The rate of internet reach in India rose over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014. Although these figures seem relatively low, it meant that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people had internet access that year. This also ranked the country second in the world in terms of active internet users.

(2) Internet availability and accessibility
By 2021 the number of internet connections across the country tripled in urban areas because of a higher density of population leading to an increase in the number of connections. However, despite of incredibly low internet prices, internet usage in India has yet to reach its full potential. Lack of awareness about the internet in India persists, especially in rural areas and among women, driven by digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of perceived need for the internet. This hinders digital adoption, with many not knowing how to use the internet or even being aware of its existence. Targeted awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap and ensure people understand and can benefit from the digital ecosystem.

(3) Digital living
Home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world, India is abuzz with internet activities being carried out every moment of every day. From information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes, Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms.

S. No.YearPercentage
1.201724.0
2.201828.5
3.201933.7
4.202043.4
5.202146.3
6.202248.1
7.202351.5
8.202452.4
9.202555.3

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

  1. I.

    What does the use of the term "active internet users" convey?

    1. (A)Active people who use internet
    2. (B)Active people who use active internet
    3. (C)People who use active internet
    4. (D)People who use internet actively
    1 mark
  2. II.

    Select the option that is true for the Assertion and Reason given below:
    Assertion: India is home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world.
    Reason: Lack of awareness and a tangible gender gap lie at the heart of the matter.

    1. (A)Both the Assertion and the Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
    2. (B)Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
    3. (C)The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
    4. (D)The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
    1 mark
  3. III.

    Identify the word that indicates that internet reach is 'comparatively' low. (Paragraph 1)

    1 mark
  4. IV.

    Based on the table which of the following time period illustrates the maximum internet usage?

    1. (A)2017 to 2020
    2. (B)2023 to 2025
    3. (C)2020 to 2023
    4. (D)2019 to 2022
    1 mark
  5. V.

    From the passage identify one reason why there are less internet users among women?

    1 mark
  6. VII.

    Complete the following with a suitable reason:
    An increase in the number of connections in urban areas is because of ________.

    1 mark
  7. VIII.

    Which are the two ways to bridge the gap of digital unawareness?

    2 marks
  8. IX.

    In the context of the last paragraph how does the author justify the statement, 'Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms'.

    1 mark

Figure in the paper: A table titled 'Rate of Internet Reach in India' with columns S. No., Year and Percentage: 2017 24.0; 2018 28.5; 2019 33.7; 2020 43.4; 2021 46.3; 2022 48.1; 2023 51.5; 2024 52.4; 2025 55.3. See it in the official paper.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/1/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Read the table values carefully and compare year by year.

Hint 2

For the assertion and reason, ask whether the reason actually explains the assertion.

Hint 3

Look in para 2 for the causes and the remedies.

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. (D) People who use internet actively. The phrase means users who are active on the internet.

    1 mark

  2. II. (B). Both statements are true, but the lack of awareness and the gender gap do not explain why India has so many netizens.

    1 mark

  3. III. The word is 'relatively'.

    1 mark

  4. IV. (B) 2023 to 2025. Usage rose from 51.5 to 55.3 (pointing to the highest levels). Option C (2020 to 2023) is also accepted by the scheme.

    1 mark

  5. V. One reason is lack of awareness (also acceptable: the digital divide, infrastructure limitations, or no perceived need for the internet).

    1 mark

  6. VII. A higher density of population in urban areas.

    1 mark

  7. VIII. Targeted awareness campaigns.

    1 mark

  8. VIII. Digital literacy programs.

    1 mark

  9. IX. India is abuzz with internet activity every moment of every day: research, information, shopping, entertainment and smart homes all depend on the internet.

    1 mark

Answer: I. D; II. B; III. relatively; IV. B; V. lack of awareness; VII. higher population density; VIII. awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs; IX. Internet is used in all aspects of daily life

Where the marks are

  • I: D (1 mark)
  • II: B (1 mark)
  • III: relatively (1 mark)
  • IV: B or C (1 mark)
  • V: any one reason (1 mark)
  • VII: higher density of population (1 mark)
  • VIII: two ways (2 marks)
  • IX: justification from para 3 (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 paper2026 board paper, set 2/1/1: 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.