Class 10 CBSE English Literature Questions – Answers 2025

Class 10 CBSE English Literature. The syllabus consists of two books: First Flight (Main Reader) and Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader).

Here’s a chapter-wise breakdown with detailed long-answer questions and answers:




FIRST FLIGHT (Main Reader)

1. A Letter to God – G.L. Fuentes

Q1: Describe Lencho’s faith in God and how it was both strong and naïve.
Ans:
Lencho, a poor farmer, was deeply religious and had immense faith in God. When his crops were destroyed by a hailstorm, he wrote a letter to God asking for 100 pesos to survive. His faith was so strong that he did not doubt that God would help him. However, his faith was also naïve as he believed that the post office employees, who helped him by collecting money, had stolen a part of God’s help. His unwavering belief in divine assistance showcases his innocence and devotion but also highlights his misunderstanding of human generosity.

2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Q2: How did Nelson Mandela define freedom for himself and his people?
Ans:
Mandela initially viewed freedom as personal – the ability to live without restrictions. However, as he grew up, he realized that his people were suffering under apartheid. This led him to fight for the collective freedom of South Africans. He believed that true freedom was not just about the absence of physical restrictions but also about the dignity and rights of individuals. His lifelong struggle was not only for his own liberation but for the liberation of his people from oppression, discrimination, and racial inequality.

3. Two Stories About Flying

(Part 1: His First Flight & Part 2: The Black Aeroplane)
Q3: Compare and contrast the fear and courage shown in both stories.
Ans:
In His First Flight, the young seagull is afraid to fly despite having strong wings. He hesitates until his hunger forces him to take his first flight, showing that courage often comes when one is pushed by necessity. In contrast, The Black Aeroplane depicts a mysterious pilot helping the narrator land safely during a storm. Here, the protagonist shows courage by flying through the storm but is puzzled by the supernatural intervention. Both stories highlight the theme of overcoming fear, with one emphasizing personal growth and the other hinting at divine or unknown assistance.

4. From the Diary of Anne Frank

Q4: How does Anne Frank’s diary reflect her personality and thoughts about life?
Ans:
Anne Frank’s diary is a deep reflection of her emotions, thoughts, and maturity. It reveals her intelligence, optimism, and sensitivity. She discusses her struggles, loneliness, and the horrors of war, but she also finds joy in small things. Her diary is both a personal account and a historical document, capturing the resilience of a young girl in the face of adversity. Her reflections show a mix of youthful innocence and profound wisdom, making her diary a timeless piece of literature.

5. The Hundred Dresses – I & II

Q5: What lesson do Maddie and Peggy learn from Wanda’s story?
Ans:
Maddie and Peggy initially mock Wanda for her claim of having a hundred dresses. However, after Wanda leaves the school due to their bullying, they realize their mistake. Maddie, especially, feels guilty and resolves never to stay silent in the face of injustice. The story highlights themes of empathy, regret, and the importance of standing up against bullying. It teaches that true kindness comes from understanding and treating everyone with respect.



FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET (Supplementary Reader)

1. A Triumph of Surgery

Q6: How does Dr. Herriot help Tricki recover? What does this tell us about pet care?
Ans:
Dr. Herriot understands that Tricki’s illness is due to overfeeding and lack of exercise. Instead of giving medicines, he takes Tricki to his clinic, where the dog is kept on a strict diet and allowed to play with other dogs. Within a few days, Tricki becomes active and healthy. This story teaches that overindulgence in food and lack of exercise can harm pets, and responsible care requires a balance of love




Here are more long-answer questions with detailed answers for Class 10 CBSE English Literature (First Flight & Footprints Without Feet):



FIRST FLIGHT (Main Reader)

1. A Letter to God – G.L. Fuentes

Q1: How does the story highlight Lencho’s faith and the irony in the situation?
Ans:
Lencho, a hardworking farmer, faces devastation when a hailstorm destroys his crops. His strong faith in God makes him write a letter asking for financial help. The postmaster and his employees, touched by his innocence, collect some money and send it to him. However, Lencho, unaware of their generosity, believes that part of God’s help was stolen and blames the post office. The irony lies in the fact that the very people who helped him are the ones he suspects. This story teaches that faith and kindness can exist together but also highlights human ignorance.

2. Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Q2: What does Nelson Mandela mean by ‘the twin obligations’ of a man? How did he struggle to fulfill them?
Ans:
Nelson Mandela describes that every person has two primary duties – one towards their family and the other towards society. Under apartheid, black South Africans could not fulfill these obligations as they were denied freedom and dignity. Mandela sacrificed personal happiness for the larger cause of freedom. He endured imprisonment, separation from his family, and hardships, all to fight for his people’s rights. This highlights his selfless dedication to justice and equality.

3. Two Stories About Flying

Q3: What does ‘His First Flight’ teach us about fear and confidence?
Ans:
The young seagull’s journey symbolizes overcoming fear through necessity. Despite encouragement from his family, he is too afraid to fly. However, when hunger forces him to act, he discovers his own ability. This story conveys that fear is natural but must be overcome to grow. It teaches that self-confidence comes from action, and sometimes, a push from life is needed to realize one’s true potential.

4. From the Diary of Anne Frank

Q4: How does Anne’s diary reflect the impact of war on human emotions and relationships?
Ans:
Anne Frank’s diary is a powerful record of how war affects young minds. Confined in a secret annex, she experiences loneliness, fear, and frustration. She often feels misunderstood but grows emotionally through writing. Despite the war, she finds hope and joy in small things. Her diary shows how conflicts force people to mature early and how personal emotions evolve in extreme conditions.

5. The Hundred Dresses – I & II

Q5: How does Wanda’s story highlight the themes of discrimination and kindness?
Ans:
Wanda, a Polish girl in an American school, faces ridicule due to her poverty and strange name. Her classmates, Peggy and Maddie, later regret mocking her when they realize their mistake. Wanda, despite being hurt, shows kindness by gifting her beautiful drawings. The story teaches that discrimination based on appearance or social class is unfair and that true kindness lies in understanding and empathy.




FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEET (Supplementary Reader)

1. A Triumph of Surgery

Q6: What does Tricki’s recovery teach about overindulgence and responsible pet care?
Ans:
Tricki’s owner, Mrs. Pumphrey, spoils him with food, making him unhealthy. Dr. Herriot, instead of using medicine, focuses on exercise and a proper diet, leading to Tricki’s recovery. This highlights how excessive love can sometimes harm pets and that responsible care involves a balance of affection, proper nutrition, and activity.

2. The Thief’s Story

Q7: How does the thief’s transformation in the story highlight the importance of trust and kindness?
Ans:
The young thief is used to stealing and deceiving people. However, Anil’s kindness and trust make him rethink his actions. Even after stealing money, he returns it, showing inner change. This story emphasizes that kindness and trust can reform even the most misguided individuals, proving that everyone deserves a second chance.

3. Footprints Without Feet

Q8: How does Griffin’s misuse of science serve as a warning about ethical responsibility?
Ans:
Griffin’s discovery of invisibility could have benefited humanity, but he misuses it for theft and harm. His unethical actions ultimately lead to his downfall. The story warns that scientific advancements must be used responsibly, as power without morality can be dangerous.