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Read the following… (Class 10 English SQP 2026-27, Q1)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2026-27 · 10 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2026-27: question 1

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2026-27, section A, question 1, for 10 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q1 · 10 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedReading (unseen passages)

Read the following passage.

(1) Have you ever really looked at a toy store shelf and wondered what you're actually looking at? Rows upon rows of plastic products—bright, shiny, and visually appealing. We barely question them anymore. But here's a question worth asking: does the type of toy we choose really matter? The answer might surprise you. It turns out that choosing between a conventional plastic toy and an eco-friendly alternative is about far more than just grabbing something off the shelf.

(2) Let's be honest—plastic toys are everywhere. They've been the default choice for generations, and there's a reason: they're affordable, they're designed to grab attention, and they work. However, what exactly are we getting when we buy a mass-produced plastic toy? Often, we're getting something made with chemicals like BPA* and lead, substances that make manufacturing cheaper. These aren't just abstract risks floating in the background. They're real concerns that affect real people, especially children who interact with these toys daily.

(3) This is precisely why eco-friendly toys matter so much. Crafted from organic cotton, sustainable wood, and recycled materials, they ask a fundamental question: what if toys could be safe, engaging, and environmentally responsible all at once? When we choose these alternatives, we're not just buying a toy—we're making a statement about what we value.

(4) Ever noticed how a wooden block can keep a child entertained for hours, while some plastic gadget loses its appeal in minutes? There's a reason for that. Eco-friendly toys often engage children's minds differently. Natural materials offer something special—rich textures, varied tactile experiences, and a kind of sensory richness that engages the brain in deeper ways. A wooden building set doesn't just entertain; it challenges children to think, problem-solve, and create. It demands imagination in a way that pre-programmed, plastic alternatives never can.

(5) Think about the typical lifespan of a plastic toy. It breaks, it ends up in landfills, and it's replaced. Eco-friendly toys, however, are designed to survive. They're built to last years, to be passed along, to become keepsakes rather than waste. This durability speaks volumes about the difference between toys made purely for profit and toys made with purpose.

(6) Ultimately, the choice between conventional and eco-friendly toys reflects something deeper: how we think about consumption itself. Do we want a world where toys are disposable trinkets, or do we want objects that matter—that are safe, engaging, and kind to the planet? It's not just about toys. It's about the choices we make every single day and what those choices say about who we are and what kind of future we're building.

*BPA: Bisphenol A, a chemical used primarily in the production of plastic items
Created for academic usage / 435 words

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

  1. I

    In Paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘rows upon rows of plastic products’ emphasise?

    1 mark
  2. II

    Complete the following with the correct option from the two given.
    When the writer says, ‘These aren’t just abstract risks floating in the background’, he refers to _________. (paragraph 2)

    1. (a)the potential health hazards present in mass-produced plastic toys that consumers often ignore or are unaware of.
    2. (b)the general concerns about toy safety that exist in society but don't directly affect individual purchasing decisions.
    1 mark
  3. III

    The writer mentions, ‘organic cotton, sustainable wood, and recycled materials’ in paragraph 3.
    Which of the following is an example of ‘recycled material’?

    1. (A)Hand spun clothes certified by environmental organisations
    2. (B)Cotton grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers
    3. (C)Plastic bottles processed and converted into shoes
    4. (D)Wood treated with chemical preservatives to extend lifespan
    1 mark
  4. IV

    In paragraphs 2 and 3, the writer contrasts the characteristics of plastic toys with eco-friendly toys.
    What does this comparison reveal about the writer's perspective on consumer responsibility?

    2 marks
  5. V

    Identify whether the following statement is True or False. (Paragraph 4)
    The sensory richness of eco-friendly toys primarily enhances children's entertainment value rather than their cognitive development.

    1 mark
  6. VII

    Read the statements (i–v) given below and select the option that correctly classifies them as Facts (F) or Opinions (O).
    (i) BPA and lead are used in the production of mass-produced plastic toys.
    (ii) Plastic toys are affordable and attractive, which makes them popular.
    (iii) Eco-friendly toys are designed to survive longer and are not discarded as waste.
    (iv) Wooden toys engage children's minds in deeper and more meaningful ways than plastic toys.
    (v) The choice between plastic and eco-friendly toys is about mindful consumption.

    1. (A)(i) O (ii) O (iii) F (iv) F (v) O
    2. (B)(i) F (ii) F (iii) O (iv) O (v) F
    3. (C)(i) O (ii) F (iii) F (iv) O (v) O
    4. (D)(i) F (ii) O (iii) F (iv) O (v) O
    1 mark
  7. VIII

    What might be the author’s purpose of asking rhetorical questions** throughout the passage?
    ** a figure of speech in which questions are asked for a reason other than to get an answer

    2 marks

Source: official sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in (PDF). See it in the full Sample paper 2026-27.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Read each question against the paragraph it names.

Hint 2

For IV, ask what the writer wants buyers to value more than price.

Hint 3

For VII, a fact can be checked; an opinion is a judgement.

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 phrase stresses the overwhelming abundance of plastic toys on shelves. It shows how pervasive plastic products have become in consumer culture.

    1 mark

  2. (II) (a) The risks are real health hazards in mass-produced plastic toys, which buyers often ignore or do not know about.

    1 mark

  3. (III) (C) Plastic bottles processed and converted into shoes. This is the only option in which waste material is reused to make a new product.

    1 mark

  4. (IV) The contrast shows that the writer believes consumer responsibility goes beyond convenience and low price. Plastic toys may contain harmful chemicals such as BPA and lead, while eco-friendly toys are safe and sustainable. Consumers should therefore put children's health and the environment before cost, and informed choice is both a personal and a collective duty.

    2 marks

  5. (V) False. The passage says natural materials engage the brain more deeply and make children think, solve problems and create. They develop cognition, not just entertainment.

    1 mark

  6. (VII) (D). (i) is a fact, as it can be verified. (ii) is an opinion about popularity. (iii) is a fact about design and durability. (iv) is an opinion, as it is a judgement. (v) is an opinion.

    1 mark

  7. (VIII) The author uses rhetorical questions to engage readers directly and make them think about their own buying choices. They encourage critical thinking and build a persuasive case for accepting eco-friendly alternatives.

    2 marks

Answer: (I) abundance and pervasiveness of plastic products; (II) a; (III) C; (IV) consumers should prioritise children's health and the environment over cost; (V) False; (VII) D; (VIII) to engage readers, provoke reflection and persuade

Where the marks are

  • Identifies abundance and pervasiveness of plastic (1 mark)
  • Chooses option (a) (1 mark)
  • Chooses option C (1 mark)
  • Says responsibility goes beyond convenience and cost (1 mark)
  • Links this to health and environment, with informed choice as a duty (1 mark)
  • States False (1 mark)
  • Chooses D (1 mark)
  • Says rhetorical questions engage readers and provoke thought (1 mark)
  • Says they build a persuasive argument for eco-friendly alternatives (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Reading (unseen passages)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Reading (unseen passages), one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paperSample paper 2026-27: 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.