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Answer any four of the following… (English 2026 2/3/1 Q8)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/3/1 · 12 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 8

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/3/1, section C, question 8, for 12 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q8 · 12 marks · Short answerNelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Answer any four of the following five questions in 40–50 words each: (4×3=12)

  1. (i)

    Why does Mandela mention that he was prevented from fulfilling his obligations as a son, a brother, a father, and a husband? (Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom)

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    How does the line 'people will take balls, balls will be lost always', justify that material losses are necessary for emotional growth and to understand the harsh realities of life? (The Ball Poem)

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    Why did Kisa Gotami, despite her desperate efforts to find a solution for her grief, ultimately become weary and hopeless? (The Sermon at Benares)

    3 marks
  4. (iv)

    What was Chubukov's reaction when he discovered the actual purpose behind Lomov's visit? (The Proposal)

    3 marks
  5. (v)

    The religious man's perspective in 'For Anne Gregory' reinforces the concept of divine love. Illustrate.

    3 marks

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/3/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Use two clear points from the lesson for each part.

Hint 2

Keep each answer to 40–50 words, in complete sentences.

Hint 3

Quote a specific event or phrase from the text.

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) Mandela says that under apartheid a man of his colour could not fulfil his duties as son, brother, father and husband. Blacks were torn from their families and denied equal rights. A man who tried to do his duty was forced into a secret, rebellious 'twilight life'.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) The ball stands for material things, which are always lost. The boy must learn that money cannot replace his emotional loss. Facing it teaches him to bear loss, take responsibility and stand up to harsh reality, 'the epistemology of loss'.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) Kisa Gotami's only son died and she wanted him brought back to life. Buddha asked her for mustard seed from a house where no one had died. She went from door to door all day and found none. Tired, she sat by the wayside, weary and hopeless, and saw that death comes to all.

    3 marks

  4. (iv) Chubukov was overjoyed to learn that Lomov had come to propose. He flattered Lomov, calling him a worthy fellow, and quickly agreed. He embraced and kissed him, shed tears, and called down God's blessing on the couple.

    3 marks

  5. (v) The religious man shows spiritual insight into human nature. He values inner qualities over external beauty, contrasting superficial love with spiritual love. He speaks as a voice of wisdom, saying only God can love Anne for herself, and his scriptural quotation reinforces divine love.

    3 marks

Answer: Model answers for (i)–(v); any four are to be attempted.

Where the marks are

  • Two relevant value points (2 marks) for each attempted part
  • Clear expression and coherence (1 mark) for each part
  • Any four parts attempted (4×3=12 marks)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/3/1: 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.