Skip to content

Answer any four of the following… (English 2026 2/5/1 Q8)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2026-2-5-1-q8

EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/5/1 · 12 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 8

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/5/1, section C, question 8, for 12 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q8 · 12 marks · Short answerHow to Tell Wild Animals

Answer any four of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words each. (4 × 3 = 12)

  1. (i)

    What lesson does the poet convey about nature in ‘How to Tell Wild Animals’?

    3 marks
  2. (ii)

    How does the short structure of poem ‘Dust of Snow’ enhance its message about emotional renewal? Support your answer briefly.

    3 marks
  3. (iii)

    In ‘Mijbil the Otter’, how does the narrator’s patience contrast with the reactions of fellow passengers and local people? What does this reveal about human understanding of the unfamiliar?

    3 marks
  4. (iv)

    In ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, how does the contrast between Valli’s boldness and her emotional response to the dead cow shape your view of her maturity?

    3 marks
  5. (v)

    What was Chubukov’s reaction when he heard about Lomov’s proposal for his daughter’s hand? (The Proposal)

    3 marks

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

Plan two clear points for each answer, using the text as evidence.

Hint 2

For (iii) and (iv), address both parts of the question.

Hint 3

Write 40-50 words and link points with connectives.

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 poet warns, with humour, that nature is unpredictable and wild animals must be approached with caution. Each description, such as the tiger's stripes or the lion's roar, shows animals differ from each other. Observation and respect are needed because a surprise may await the traveller in the jungle.

    3 marks

  2. (ii) The poem's brief lines mirror a sudden shift in mood. A small act, the crow shaking snow on the poet, lifts his regret and gives him hope. The brevity shows that tiny moments can renew the spirit and save part of a day he had rued.

    3 marks

  3. (iii) The narrator stays calm and patient with Mijbil, while passengers react with fear, panic, discomfort or curiosity. People call the otter a seal or hippo and shy away. This shows that ignorance of the unfamiliar creates fear and a lack of empathy, though some show healthy curiosity.

    3 marks

  4. (iv) Valli is bold and confident on the bus ride, acting grown-up. Yet she turns silent and shaken on seeing the dead cow. This shows her maturity is growing but she is still a child. She now grasps the reality of death, and the cow's death breaks her pretence of being mature.

    3 marks

  5. (v) Chubukov is overjoyed when he learns Lomov wants to marry Natalya. He embraces and kisses Lomov, blesses the union and is delighted to agree to the marriage. He hurries to call his daughter and says he had always loved Lomov like a son.

    3 marks

Answer: Any four of (i)-(v) answered; all five are given above.

Where the marks are

  • Content: two relevant value points with textual evidence per answer (2 marks each)
  • Expression: coherent, effective style per answer (1 mark each)
  • Any four answers attempted (12 marks)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from How to Tell Wild Animals, 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.