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Answer any one of the… (Class 10 English SQP 2026-27, Q11A)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2026-27-sqp-q11a-story-midnight-visitor-balcony-functions

EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Sample paper, session 2026-27 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2026-27: question 11(A)

From the official CBSE sample question paper for 2026-27, section C, question 11(A), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q11(A) · 6 marks · Long answerThe Midnight Visitor

Answer any one of the following two questions, in about 100-120 words.

In the story, ‘The Midnight Visitor’ the ‘balcony’ functions as the story's central plot device, yet it never physically exists. Discuss what the balcony symbolises in the story.

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

Ask who believes in the balcony and why, though it is not there.

Hint 2

Look at the details Ausable adds to make it convincing.

Hint 3

Link to the theme: words can control what people think is real.

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 balcony symbolises the power of narrative to create reality. It exists only in words, in Ausable's description and Max's belief, yet it feels more real than the room because people act on it.

    2 marks

  2. It reveals the theme of truth against perception. Ausable builds plausible details, such as the building's history, access routes and earlier break-ins, and Max believes them because they fit what he expects of a Paris hotel.

    2 marks

  3. Finally, it stands for storytelling triumphing over material fact. Whoever controls the narrative holds power, and the imaginary balcony proves more decisive than any physical barrier. Expression and accuracy.

    2 marks

Answer: The non-existent balcony symbolises how a convincing story can shape belief and give power over reality.

Where the marks are

  • Balcony as narrative creating reality (1-2 marks)
  • Plausible details and Max's expectations (2 marks)
  • Storytelling's power and conclusion (1 mark)
  • Expression (2 marks, overlapping)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Midnight Visitor, 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.