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Read the given extracts and… (Class 10 English 2026, Q7b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/4/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 7(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/4/1, section C, question 7(b), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q7(b) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedThe Ball Poem

Read the given extracts and answer the questions for any ONE of the two given. A dime, another ball, is worthless. Now / He senses first responsibility / In a world of possessions. People will take / Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy. / And no one buys a ball back. Money is external / He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, / The epistemology of loss, how to stand up / Knowing what every man must one day know / And most know many days, how to stand up. (The Ball Poem)

  1. (i)

    Comment on the portrayal of the character of the boy in the given extract.

    2 marks
  2. (ii)

    Complete the following suitably: “Money is external” implies that the boy _______

    1. (A)values material possessions.
    2. (B)learns the money cannot restore what is lost.
    3. (C)believes money is the solution to all problems.
    4. (D)is indifferent to material wealth.
    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    What does the poet mean by the phrase, ‘epistemology of loss’?

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    What kind of atmosphere is created through these lines? Select the correct option. 1. reflection 2. intrigue 3. acceptance 4. anger 5. fear

    1. (A)1, 4 and 5
    2. (B)Only 2
    3. (C)1 and 3
    4. (D)4 and 5
    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/4/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Notice how the boy's feelings change from grief to understanding.

Hint 2

Ask what money can and cannot buy back.

Hint 3

'Epistemology' means the study or theory of knowledge.

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) The boy is shown as deeply sad at losing his ball, yet he is slowly growing up. He moves from innocence to awareness, learning responsibility and that he must stand up to loss.

    2 marks

  2. (ii) "Money is external" implies that the boy learns that money cannot restore what is lost. Option (B).

    1 mark

  3. (iii) 'Epistemology of loss' means the knowledge or understanding of loss: the realisation that losses are inevitable and universal, and that one must accept them and carry on.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) The lines create an atmosphere of reflection (1) and acceptance (3). Option (C).

    1 mark

Answer: (i) grieving yet maturing boy; (ii) B; (iii) understanding that loss is inevitable and must be accepted; (iv) C

Where the marks are

  • Two valid points on the boy's character: grief and growing awareness (2 marks)
  • Option B (1 mark)
  • Epistemology of loss explained as understanding and accepting loss (1 mark)
  • Option C (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Ball Poem (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Ball Poem, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/4/1: 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.