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How does the contrast… (Class 10 English 2026, Q10b)

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

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 10(b)

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

Q10(b) · 6 marks · Long answerTwo Stories about Flying

How does the contrast between the pilot's fear in 'The Black Aeroplane' and Custard's initial cowardice in 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' highlight that courage can be found in the most unexpected characters when circumstances demand it? Discuss with reference to the two.

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

Hints

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

Hint 1

Recall how the pilot reacts to the black clouds and what he does next.

Hint 2

Think about how Custard is seen at the start and what he does against the pirate.

Hint 3

Link both: ordinary or fearful characters show hidden courage in a crisis.

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. In 'The Black Aeroplane' the pilot is confident at first, but panics when he flies into dark black clouds. He then keeps flying, which shows his determination and inner strength.

    1 mark

  2. The mysterious black aeroplane guides him with hope and helps him land safely.

    1 mark

  3. In 'The Tale of Custard the Dragon' Custard thinks of himself as a coward, while everyone else is brave.

    1 mark

  4. When the pirate attacks and everyone else panics, Custard fights bravely, saves everyone and is proved a true hero.

    1 mark

  5. Contrast: both face unexpected danger and show hidden strength when circumstances demand it. The pilot's courage comes from determination in fear, Custard's from sudden bravery after being thought a coward. Both save themselves from their predicaments.

    1 mark

  6. The answer is well organised, links the two texts and is accurate, within 100-120 words.

    1 mark

Answer: Both the fearful pilot and the cowardly Custard find unexpected courage when danger comes, showing that true bravery appears when circumstances demand it.

Where the marks are

  • One point from each text plus a contrast point (3 marks)
  • Expression and synthesis (2 marks)
  • Accuracy (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Two Stories about Flying, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/2/1: 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.