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In ‘The Book That Saved the… (Class 10 English 2026, Q11B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/5/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 11(B)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/5/1, section C, question 11(B), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q11(B) · 6 marks · Long answerThe Book that Saved the Earth

In ‘The Book That Saved the Earth’, how does the play use humour and irony to comment on both futuristic technology and human assumptions? What message do you think the author conveys through the Martians’ misinterpretation of a nursery rhyme? (in about 100-120 words)

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/5/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Recall how the Martians interpreted Humpty Dumpty and the objects they found.

Hint 2

Ask what is ironic about a powerful race failing at something simple.

Hint 3

Draw the lesson about trusting machines and assumptions.

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. The play uses humour and irony as a powerful, technologically advanced race is defeated by innocent nursery rhymes. The Martians misread children's rhymes as Earth's military code, and think Humpty Dumpty shows the Think-Tank's assassination.

    2 marks

  2. They wrongly take books for sandwiches and telephones for hats. Their illogical assumptions lead to absurd conclusions and comic error, mocking their confidence in their computer-based technology.

    1 mark

  3. The message is that blind dependence on technology and assumptions is dangerous. Knowledge must be understood, not presumed, and overconfidence clouds judgement, while humility and understanding matter more than pride.

    2 marks

  4. Expression and accuracy: a coherent, correct 100-120 word answer.

    1 mark

Answer: The play mocks over-reliance on technology and unfounded assumptions; the author says knowledge and humility matter more than pride and overconfidence.

Where the marks are

  • Humour and irony in the Martians' defeat by nursery rhymes (1 mark)
  • Examples of misinterpretation (1 mark)
  • Message about technology, assumptions or overconfidence (1 mark)
  • Expression (2 marks)
  • Accuracy (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Book that Saved the Earth, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/5/1: 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.