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Answer any two of the following… (English 2026 2/2/1 Q9)

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

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 9

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

Q9 · 6 marks · Short answerThe Thief's Story

Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 – 50 words each: (2×3=6)

  1. (i)

    Why does Hari Singh find it pleasant to work for Anil, though he was a thief? (The Thief's Story)

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    How does Matilda face 'the horrible life of necessity'? (The Necklace)

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    The teacher built up Bholi's confidence on her first day at school. Discuss. (Bholi)

    3 marks

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 character is treated or what the character does in the lesson.

Hint 2

Give two specific incidents from the text for each answer.

Hint 3

Keep to 40-50 words and link your points.

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) Anil was kind, gentle and trusting. He made Hari Singh comfortable even though Hari could not cook. He never suspected or scolded him even when Hari stole from him, did not burden him with work, and even taught him to read and write. So Hari found it pleasant to work for him.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) Matilda faces her poverty bravely. To repay the heavy debt she cleaned utensils, washed clothes and floors, fetched water and bargained for every coin at cheap markets. She became like a woman of the street, and years of hard work ruined her beauty.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) Bholi had suffered neglect at home, but her teacher was gentle and spoke to her soothingly. She praised Bholi's small efforts, gave her books and promised that no one would laugh at her again. This encouragement gave Bholi the confidence to speak.

    3 marks

Answer: Model answers for sub-parts (i) to (iii) are given above; any two are required.

Where the marks are

  • Each sub-part: two relevant value points (2 marks)
  • Each sub-part: clear expression (1 mark)
  • Any two sub-parts attempted (2 x 3 = 6 marks)

Revise the chapter

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