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Answer any four of the following… (English 2026 2/4/1 Q8)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/4/1 · 12 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 8

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/4/1, 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 about 40-50 words: 4 × 3 = 12

  1. (i)

    How are the cultural and social fabric of Goa closely knit together with the traditional baker and his bread? (Glimpses of India)

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    Bring out the literal and metaphorical meaning of the word “plunge” with reference to the young seagull who failed to muster up the courage to the plunge. (Stories About Flying)

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    What lesson does “For Anne Gregory” present for youthful love?

    3 marks
  4. (iv)

    “Dust of Snow” presents the polar opposites black and white in a colour pallet. Justify, that ‘black’ and ‘white’ signify something deeper than the superficial meaning in the poem.

    3 marks
  5. (v)

    What is the vision of freedom that comes through the speech of Nelson Mandela?

    3 marks

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

Pick the four sub-parts you remember best.

Hint 2

Give two clear points from the text in each answer.

Hint 3

Keep each answer to 40-50 words.

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 baker is part of Goan life. His trade is hereditary, and his bamboo staff's sound brings back childhood memories. Bread is a staple of daily meals and is essential at weddings and festivals. Children wait for bread-bangles (kankonn). The baker thus binds the community through shared customs.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) Literally, 'plunge' means the young seagull's leap off the ledge into the sea to fly. Metaphorically, it means taking a bold step into the unknown despite fear. It marks a move from dependence to independence and growth, which the seagull could not manage at first.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) The poem teaches that youthful love is often drawn to outward beauty, such as yellow hair, which fades or can be changed. True love should value the inner self, and only God loves a person for what they truly are.

    3 marks

  4. (iv) Black, in the crow and the hemlock tree, stands for sorrow, death and the poet's gloomy mood. White, in the snow, stands for purity, hope and renewal. The snow falling on him lifts his mood, showing that even a small moment can bring inner change.

    3 marks

  5. (v) Mandela's vision is freedom from apartheid and racial oppression, with equality, dignity and justice for Black and White alike. It also means freedom from fear, poverty and deprivation. It is a vision of peaceful coexistence in which both the oppressed and the oppressor are liberated.

    3 marks

Answer: Model answers for sub-parts (i) to (v) are given; any four are to be attempted.

Where the marks are

  • Two valid content points per answer (2 marks each)
  • Clear expression and coherence (1 mark each)

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 2/4/1: 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.