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Answer ANY TWO of the… (Class 10 English 2026, Q9)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/1/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 9

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/1/1, section C, question 9, for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9 · 6 marks · Long answerThe Making of a Scientist

Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words each: 2×3 = 6

  1. I.

    Working through his project of collecting and tagging butterflies, Ebright developed a scientific temperament. Elaborate. (Making of a Scientist)

    3 marks
  2. II.

    Mention how Ausable was always one step ahead of everyone. (The Midnight Visitor)

    3 marks
  3. III.

    Mention any two reasons that substantiate that Bholi's mother was a negative presence in her life. (Bholi)

    3 marks

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

Give two points with examples from the story.

Hint 2

Keep to 40-50 words.

Hint 3

Link examples 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. Tagging butterflies taught Ebright patience, observation and systematic record-keeping. His curiosity grew from collecting to questioning. Meeting Dr Urquhart fuelled his imagination, and his shift from hobby to deep engagement shows scientific temperament.

    3 marks

  2. II. Ausable was spontaneous and witty, inventing a convincing balcony story. As a spy he stayed alert. He handled Max calmly and used the police trick to trap him, showing presence of mind.

    3 marks

  3. III. Bholi's mother neglected her and ignored her education. She called her a 'dumb cow' and saw her as a burden. She sent her to school only to be rid of her and tried to marry her to a greedy old man.

    3 marks

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

Where the marks are

  • Two relevant points with textual evidence (2 marks each answer)
  • Clear expression (1 mark each answer)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Making of a Scientist, 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.