Haryana Board Class 10 English Previous Year Question Paper 2026 PDF Download (Free)
## SECTION-A
(Reading Skills)
1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :
1. Have you ever felt your heart racing, your palms turning clammy, or a sudden chill running down your spine when something startled you ?
These are not random quirks of the body ; they are part of the carefully wired fear response designed to protect you.
2. When you get scared, your brain and body work in sync to trigger what is commonly known as the fight-or-flight response. This reaction prepares you to either confront the threat or escape from it by releasing adrenaline, increasing your heart rate and sharpening your senses.
3. The first thing that happens when you encounter a frightening situation is the firing of amygdala, the brain's built-in alarm system. This tiny structure rapidly processes the sight, sound, or sensation of danger and signals the hypothalamus to prepare the body for action. At the same time, the hippocampus compares the situation with past experiences, helping you judge whether the threat is genuine or not.
4. Behind the rapid physical changes are powerful chemicals. The adrenal glands release adrenaline and cortisol, a combination that makes you hyper-alert and temporarily stronger. Adrenaline speeds up your heart rate and reaction times, while cortisol increases blood sugar to provide a quick energy boost.
5. Fear is meant to be an occasional survival tool, not a constant companion. That is why, chronic fear can weaken the immune system, disturb digestion, raise blood pressure, and disrupt sleep. However, practices like deep breathing and regular exercises can calm the nervous system, burn off excess adrenaline and keep stress hormones in check.
## Questions:
\[1\times 10 = 10\]
(i) What is the brain's built-in alarm system called ?
(a) Amygdala
(b) Hypothalamus
(c) Hippocampus
(d) Adrenal
(ii) Which chemical makes us hyper-alert and temporarily stronger ?
(a) Adrenaline
(b) Cortisol
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
(iii) Read the following statements and choose the correct option :
1. Chronic fear can weaken our immune system.
2. We should not make fear our constant companion.
## Options :
(a) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are false.
(b) Both Statement (1) and Statement (2) are true.
(c) Statement (1) is true and Statement (2) is false.
(d) Statement (1) is false and Statement (2) is true.
(iv) Which practices can calm our nervous system ?
(a) Deep breathing
(b) Regular exercise
(c) Nutritious food
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(v) Which word in para '2' means the same as 'afraid' or 'frightened' ?
(a) Scared
(b) Trigger
(c) Sharpen
(d) Confront
(vi) What is the meaning of fight- or- flight response ?
(vii) What is the function of amygdala ?
(viii) How does adrenaline affect our body ?
(ix) How is chronic fear harmful for our body ?
(x) Which word in para '5' means opposite of 'enemy' ?
2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
1. Personal hygiene refers to the practices that individuals undertake to maintain cleanliness and promote overall health. It encompasses various habits and routines that contribute to preventing illness, promoting wellbeing and enhancing social interactions.
2. Good personal hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Regular hand washing especially before meals and after using the restroom, significantly reduces the transmission of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Proper oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing teeth, helps prevent dental cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
3. Practising good hygiene habits supports overall physical health. Bathing or showering daily removes dirt, sweat and excess oils from the skin, preventing skin infections and promoting skin health. Clean clothes and regular laundering reduce the risk of skin irritations and allergic reactions caused by dust mites.
4. Personal hygiene plays a crucial role in social interactions and self-esteem. Maintaining clean hair, skin and clothing enhances one's appearance and fosters confidence in social and professional settings. This promotes personal comfort and prevents potential embarrassment in social situations.
5. Adopting good hygiene practices can contribute to mental well-being by fostering a sense of self-care and self-respect. Feeling clean and fresh promotes a positive mood and self-image, reducing stress and anxiety related to personal appearance. Educational programmes and community initiatives play a vital role in promoting hygiene awareness and encouraging healthy habits from an early age.
## Questions:
\[1\times 10 = 10\]
(i) What do you mean by 'personal hygiene'?
(ii) How does regular hand washing benefit us?
(iii) What are the benefits of bathing daily?
(iv) How do good hygiene practices contribute to mental well-being?
(v) Which word in para '4' means the same as 'humiliation' or 'awkwardness'?
(vi) Proper oral hygiene prevents
(a) Gum disease
(b) Acne
(c) Bad breath
(d) both (a) and (c)
(vii) Which thing can reduce the risk of allergic reactions caused by dust mites?
(a) Regular Dieting
(b) Regular Laundering
(c) Regular Exercises
(d) Regular Walking
(viii) Ignoring good hygiene practices can lead to
(a) Physical Health
(b) Mental well-being
(c) Reducing stress related to personal appearance
(d) None of these
(ix) What message does this passage convey ?
(a) Personal hygiene ruins mental health
(b) Personal hygiene reduces our self-esteem
(c) Personal hygiene weakens social interactions
(d) Personal hygiene promotes overall physical and mental health
(x) Read the following statements and choose the correct option based on them :
1. Personal hygiene prevents the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Personal hygiene fosters confidence in social settings.
## Options :
(a) Statement (1) is true and Statement (2) is false.
(b) Statement (1) is false and Statement (2) is true.
(c) Both Statements are false.
(d) Both Statements are true.
## SECTION - B
(Grammar)
[M. M. : 10
3. Attempt any ten sentences from the given items :
\(1\times 10 = 10\)
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the verb :
(i) I (write) the letter before he arrived.
(a) have written
(b) had written
(c) was writing
(d) am writing
(ii) I shall wait till you (finish) your lunch.
(a) finish
(b) have finished
(c) had finished
(d) finished
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct articles :
(iii) We go to church every week.
(a) the
(b) No article
(c) a
(d) an
(iv) Aladdin had wonderful lamp.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) No article
(d) a
C. Identify the sentences with the correct punctuation :
(v) england france and italy formed an alliance
(a) England France and Italy formed an alliance.
(b) England, France and italy formed an alliance.
(c) england, France and Italy formed an alliance.
(d) England, France and Italy formed an alliance.
(vi) he said to his disciples watch and pray
(a) He said to his disciples, "watch and pray."
(b) He said to his disciples, "watch and pray".
(c) He said to his disciples, "watch and pray?"
(d) He said to his disciples, watch and pray.
D. Identify the correct figure of speech in the following :
(vii) The news was a dagger to his heart.
(a) Simile
(b) Metaphor
(c) Personification
(d) Pun
(viii) I am able to fill the river with my tears.
(a) Hyperbole
(b) Oxymoron
(c) Metaphor
(d) Simile
E. Identify the sentence written in correct indirect speech :
(ix) She said to him, "I am waiting for my son."
(a) She told him that she is waiting for my son.
(b) She told him that she was waiting for my son.
(c) She told him that she was waiting for her son.
(d) She asked him that she was waiting for my son.
(x) I said to them, "Have you read the letter ?"
(a) I asked them if they have read the letter ?
(b) I asked them if they had read the letter.
(c) I advised them to read the letter.
(d) I asked them if you had read the letter.
F. Fill in the blanks with correct non-finite form of the verb :
(xi) The speaker is about (begin).
(a) to begin
(b) begin
(c) beginning
(d) having begun
(xii) I met a girl (carry) a basket of flowers.
(a) carrying
(b) to carry
(c) carried
(d) having carried
## SECTION-C
(Writing Skills)
[M.M.:10
4. Attempt any one of the following topics :
(i) Write a letter to the Editor of a newspaper highlighting the importance of road safety rules. You are Anand/Moksha, a resident of Mayur Vihar, Delhi.
(ii) Write an application to the Principal of your school requesting him to issue character certificate.
5. Attempt any one of the following topics :
(i) The Cultural Club in your school recently conducted a talk on 'Movies and their Influence on Real Life' to discuss how movies impact the thinking and life style of public. The talk was addressed to students of Class IX and X. As Reena Khan, Secretary of the Cultural Club, draft a report covering the event for your school's magazine.
(ii) You are living in Agra and have a good knowledge of all the historical places around there. Write a suitable advertisement for a newspaper, offering your services as a tourist guide during the coming summer vacation.
## SECTION-D
(Literature)
[M.M.:40
6. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
My father, the most adorable father I've ever seen, didn't marry my mother until he was thirty-six and she was twenty-five. My sister Margot was born in Frankfurt in Germany in 1926. I lived in Frankfurt until I was four. My father emigrated to Holland in 1933. My mother, Edith Hollander Frank, went with him to Holland in September while Margot and I were sent to Aachen to stay with my grandmother.
# Questions :
\(1\times 5 = 5\)
(i) Who is the narrator of the passage ?
(ii) In which country was Margot born ?
(iii) Who was Edith Hollander Frank ?
(iv) With whom did the narrator stay at Aachen ?
(v) Which word in the passage means the same as 'Lovable' or 'Darling' ?
## OR
For the first twenty-four hours, Mjibil was neither hostile nor friendly; he was simply aloof and indifferent, choosing to sleep on the floor as far as from my bed as possible. The second night Mjibil came on to my bed in the small hours and remained asleep in the crook of my knees until the servant brought tea in the morning, and during the day he began to lose his apathy and take a keen, much too keen interest in his surroundings. I made a body-belt for him and took him on a lead to the bathroom, where for half an hour he went wild with joy in the water.
## Questions:
\(1\times 5 = 5\)
(i) Name the chapter from which the passage has been taken.
(ii) How did Mjibil behave on the first day ?
(iii) How did Mjibil react on the second night ?
(iv) What are otters fond of as shown in the passage ?
(v) Which word in the passage means the same as 'disinterested' or 'detached' ?
7. Attempt any two of the following questions : \(3 \times 2 = 6\)
(i) How did Mandela's 'hunger for freedom' change his life ? (Nelson Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom)
(ii) How did the mother trick the young seagull into flying ? (His First Flight)
(iii) What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea ? (Tea from Assam)
(iv) What do you know about Lomov ? (The Proposal)
8. Attempt any one of the following questions :
(i) Based on the chapter 'A Letter to God', justify the following statement : "Lencho is a man of unwavering faith, rather than someone with a logical approach."
(ii) Discuss the character-sketch of Valli in your own words. (Madam Rides the Bus)
9. Read the following stanza and answer the questions that follow :
Some say the world will end in fire
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
# Questions :
(i) Name the poem and its poet.
\(1 \times 5 = 5\)
(ii) What do fire and ice symbolize here ?
(iii) What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza ?
(iv) Which poetic device is used in the phrase 'favour fire' ?
(v) What message does the poet want to convey here ?
OR
Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears,
And Ink and Blink chased lions down the stairs,
Mustard was as brave as a tiger in a rage,
But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.
Questions : \(1 \times 5 = 5\)
(i) Name the poem and its poet.
(ii) How are Belinda, Ink, Blink and Mustard portrayed here ?
(iii) Who is shown coward in the stanza ?
(iv) Which poetic device is used in line '3' ?
(v) Which word in the stanza means the same as 'anger' ?
10. Attempt any two of the following questions : \(3 \times 2 = 6\)
(i) What is the theme of the poem 'A Tiger in the Zoo' ?
(ii) How does the poet react to the condition of the boy in 'The Ball Poem' ?
(iii) Why does the poet compare fog to a cat ? (Fog)
(iv) Where are the trees in the poem ? What do their roots, leaves and twigs do ? (The Trees)
11. Answer any two of the following questions : \(3\times 2 = 6\)
(i) Why is the narrator tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest ? (A Triumph of Surgery)
(ii) Why is it difficult to rob a careless person according to the thief boy ? (The Thief's Story)
(iii) What lesson does Ebright learn when he does not win anything at a science fair ? (The Making of a Scientist)
(iv) What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on the earth ? (The Book That Saved the Earth)
12. Attempt any one of the following questions : 6
(i) How did the loss of the necklace change the life of Matilda and her husband ? Explain your opinion about the cause of their situation. (The Necklace)
(ii) Write a detailed summary of the chapter 'Bholi' in your own words. (Bholi)
Haryana Board Class 10 English 2026 , Free PDF Download link
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