CBSE Class 10 English Sample Papers 2026-27
Prepare for the English (Language and Literature) board exam with three free sample papers from Future Topper, built for the CBSE Class 10 2026-27 session. Each paper is designed by experienced English teachers to reflect the current exam pattern, covering reading, writing, grammar and literature exactly as they appear in the actual board question paper. These are practice papers created by Future Topper and are not official CBSE sample papers, though they closely follow the CBSE syllabus and marking scheme for the year.
Every paper can be downloaded for free as a PDF and comes with a complete answer key and marking scheme, so students can check their own work and understand exactly where marks are gained or lost.
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2026-27
The English theory paper (code 184) carries 80 marks, split across reading, writing and grammar, and literature, with a further 20 marks awarded through internal assessment. The table below shows the typical section wise distribution followed in the Future Topper sample papers.
Section | Marks |
Reading Skills (unseen passages) | 20 marks |
Writing Skills and Grammar | 20 marks |
Literature (First Flight and Footprints without Feet) | 40 marks |
Internal Assessment | 20 marks |
Download CBSE Class 10 English Sample Papers
Three separate papers are available below, arranged in a suggested order of use. Each includes a full answer key.
Paper | Best Used For | Download |
Sample Paper 1 | Balanced difficulty, good starting point for early revision | |
Sample Paper 2 | Slightly higher difficulty, useful for mid-term practice | |
Sample Paper 3 | Full length mock test, ideal for final revision |
Syllabus Covered in These Sample Papers
The sample papers are based on the two prescribed textbooks, First Flight and Footprints without Feet, along with the grammar and writing sections of the syllabus. First Flight includes both prose lessons and poems, while Footprints without Feet is the supplementary reader containing short stories. Grammar topics tested include tenses, modals, subject-verb concord, determiners, reported speech and clauses, and the writing section covers formal and informal letters, article writing, story writing and analytical paragraphs.
Textbook and Chapters | Approximate Weightage |
First Flight (prose and poetry) | 24-28 marks |
Footprints without Feet (supplementary reader) | 12-16 marks |
Grammar (tenses, modals, determiners, reported speech, clauses) | 10-12 marks |
Writing skills (letter, article, story, analytical paragraph) | 10 marks |
How to Prepare Using These Sample Papers
• Attempt the unseen reading passages first and practise answering in your own words rather than copying lines directly, since examiners look for original expression.
• Revise the format of each writing task, letters, articles, stories and analytical paragraphs, before attempting the writing section under timed conditions.
• Go through grammar rules for tenses, modals, determiners and reported speech, then attempt the grammar questions without referring to notes.
• For literature answers, refer back to the actual lines or events from the chapter and support your answer with relevant details rather than vague statements.
• After finishing each paper, compare your answers with the marking scheme and note recurring mistakes to focus on during revision.
Tips to Score Well in the English Board Exam
• Keep answers to reading and literature questions within the suggested word limit, since overwriting rarely earns extra marks.
• Use simple, grammatically correct sentences rather than complex vocabulary that may lead to errors.
• Practise handwriting speed, as English answers often require longer written responses than other subjects.
• Underline keywords or main points in long answers to improve presentation and readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these English sample papers official CBSE papers?
No, they are prepared by the Future Topper academic team based on the CBSE syllabus and exam pattern for 2026-27, and are not published by CBSE.
Are the sample papers free to download?
Yes, all three sample papers are available as free PDF downloads, along with their answer keys.
Do these papers include both First Flight and Footprints without Feet?
Yes, literature questions from both textbooks are included in each sample paper in line with the CBSE weightage.
Will these papers help with the writing section?
Yes, each paper includes writing tasks such as letters, articles, stories and analytical paragraphs, along with sample answers to guide word limit and format.
CBSE Class 10 Syllabus |