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Attempt any one of the two… (Class 12 English 2026, Q5a)

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EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/5/1 · 5 marks · Writing

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 5(a)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/5/1, section B, question 5(a), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q5(a) · 5 marks · WritingCompetency-basedLetter to the Editor

Attempt any one of the two, (a) or (b), in 120 – 150 words.

Plastic pollution has become a serious environmental hazard across the country. Write a letter to the editor of a national daily, expressing concern about the rising plastic pollution and suggesting effective measures to control it. You may use the cues given below along with your own ideas. You are Riya Verma/Raju Verma of 56 Nehru Nagar, Nazarshahar.

  • excessive use of single-use plastics
  • chokes drainage systems
  • lack of public awareness
  • improper garbage disposal and waste management
  • need for eco-friendly alternatives
  • role of schools, media and civic bodies

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 301/5/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Begin with the sender's address, the editor's address and a subject line.

Hint 2

Use the cues: describe the problem first, then the solutions.

Hint 3

Close with an appeal and sign off with 'Yours faithfully'.

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.

Verified: two independent solves agree and the official marking scheme matchesChecked 2026-11-01

  1. Format: sender's address (56 Nehru Nagar, Nazarshahar), date, receiver (The Editor, a national daily), subject, salutation 'Sir/Madam', complimentary close 'Yours faithfully' and name.

    1 mark

  2. Content, problem: single-use plastics are used excessively, garbage is disposed of improperly, and plastic chokes drains and causes waterlogging. There is also little public awareness.

    1 mark

  3. Content, solutions: promote cloth and jute bags and biodegradable alternatives. Schools should run awareness drives, the media should campaign, and civic bodies should segregate waste and fine violators.

    1 mark

  4. Expression: a formal tone, clear paragraphs and accurate language, with an appeal for action.

    2 marks

Answer: Letter to the Editor on plastic pollution.
56 Nehru Nagar, Nazarshahar
10 September 2025
The Editor
The National Daily
Subject: Rising plastic pollution
Sir,
Through your newspaper I wish to express my concern about the rising plastic pollution in our country. Excessive use of single-use plastics, improper garbage disposal and weak waste management have made it a grave hazard. Plastic chokes drains and causes flooding in our cities, and public awareness remains low.
Several measures can help. We should switch to cloth and jute bags and other eco-friendly alternatives. Schools can educate children through campaigns, and the media can spread the message widely. Civic bodies must enforce bans, segregate waste, and fine those who break the rules.
If each citizen cooperates, our surroundings can become cleaner and healthier.
Yours faithfully,
Riya Verma

Where the marks are

  • Format of formal letter (1 mark)
  • Problem points (1 mark)
  • Solution points (1 mark)
  • Expression, accuracy and coherence (2 marks)

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