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NCERT Class 10 English Textbook PDF for the 2026-27 session includes the main textbook First Flight (prose and poetry) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader).
These books align fully with the latest CBSE syllabus and focus on building reading comprehension, literary appreciation, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills.
NCERT Class 10 English (First Flight) Book PDF
NCERT Class 10 English (Footprints Without Feet) Book PDF
Scroll down to download ch-wise PDF links.
NCERT English L&L Books Overview for Class 10
The content of the Class 10 English NCERT helps students develop language proficiency through engaging stories, poems, and plays while preparing effectively for the Class 10 board exams.
NCERT English resources emphasize conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and exam-oriented practice. They remain the most recommended foundation for CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature.
A similar structure is followed for Class 10 Hindi ‘A’ and Hindi ‘B’ NCERT textbooks as well.
Key Highlights for NCERT English Class 10 Textbook PDF
- Based on the latest CBSE syllabus for 2026-27, no changes in the textbook for Class 10
- Includes prose, poetry, and supplementary stories for holistic language development
- Chapter-wise solutions, important questions, and practice material available
- Focuses on comprehension, long/ short answers, and value-based questions
- Supports board exam preparation
First Flight (Prose and Poetry) Chapters:
- A Letter to God, Dust of Snow, Fire and Ice
- Nelson Mandela A Road to Freedom, A Tiger in the Zoo
- Two Stories About Flying, How to Tell Wild Animals, The Ball Poem
- From the Diary of Anne Frank, Amanda!
- Glimpses of India, Trees
- Mijbil The Otter, Fog
- Madam Rides The Bus, The Tale of Custard the Dragon
- The Sermon at Benares, For Anne Gregory
- The Proposal
Footprints Without Feet Chapters:
English NCERT Class 10 Study Material
NCERT offers complete and reliable study material for Class 10 English for the 2026-27 academic session. Students can access all essential resources in one place to prepare effectively for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams
NCERT offers two main books for Class 10 English:
Deleted Chapters from Class 10 English Textbook PDFs
As per the latest NCERT advisory, existing NCERT Class 10 textbooks across all subjects shall continue to be used during the academic session 2026-27. New textbooks will be introduced from the next academic session (2027-28) (source: NCERT website).
NCERT Class 10 English L&L Important Qs
With many competency-based Qs introduced in the latest CBSE class 10 English L&L sample paper, question practice is super important now. We have given some of the most important questions covering the entire Class 10 English syllabus for 2026-27.
First Flight (Main Textbook) - Prose
Chapter 1: A Letter to God
1. Who does Lencho have complete faith in? Which sentences in the story tell you this?
Ans. Lencho had faith in God. The sentences in the story that show this are as follows.
(i) “All through the night, Lencho thought only of his one hope : the help of God, whose eyes, as he had been instructed, see everything, even what is deep in one’s conscience.”
(ii) “God”, he wrote, “if you don’t help me, my family and I will go hungry this year.” I need a hundred pesos in order to sow my field again and to live until the crop comes, because of the hailstorm ...............”
(iii) “God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested.”
(iv) “God : of the money that I asked for, only seventy pesos reached me. Send me the rest, since I need it very much. But don’t send it to me through the mail because the post office employees are a bunch of crooks.”
2. Why does the postmaster send money to Lencho? Why does he sign the letter ‘God’?
Ans. The Postmaster didn’t want to shake Lencho’s faith in God. He was impressed by the faith Lencho had in God and wanted to have the same faith in himself. So, he collected the money and sent it to Lencho. He signed the letter ‘God’ so that Lencho’s faith in God does not shake and he can believe that the money had been sent to him by God.
Chapter 2: Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
1. Why did such a large number of international leaders attend the inauguration? What did it signify the triumph of?
Ans. To be a part of the inauguration, international leaders showed a gesture of solidarity from the international community to the idea of the end of apartheid. It was the significance of the victory of good over evil and triumph of a tolerant society without any discrimination.
2. What does Mandela mean when he says he is “simply the sum of all those African patriots” who had gone before him?
Ans. By saying that “he is simply the sum of all those African patriots”, Mandela wants to pay his tribute to all the people who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of freedom. He says that he is grateful to those who had gone before him because those heroes of the past had paved the path of co-operation and unity for him. Therefore, he could try to come to power to bring equality for his people with their support.
Chapter 3: Two Stories about Flying
(I) His First Flight
1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it a challenge to take its first steps?
Ans. The young seagull was afraid to fly because it was his first flight and he feared of falling and hurting himself. He thought that his wings would not support him while flying. Yes, it is natural that doing something for the first time is a bit challenging and fearful. All birds must be afraid to make their first flight. Similarly, a human baby is also afraid of taking the first step and finds it challenging when he learns to crawl or stand up without support.
2. “The sight of the food maddened him.” What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly?
Ans. The young seagull was very hungry. It was this hunger that ultimately compelled it to fly. Its hunger intensified when it saw its mother tearing at a piece of fish that lay at her feet. It cried to her, begging her to get some food. When its mother came towards it with food in her beak, it screamed with joy and anticipation. However, she stopped midway. It wondered why she did not come nearer. Not being able to resist or control its hunger any longer, it dived at the food in its mother’s beak. At that moment, his hunger overpowered his fear of the great expense of the sea beneath the cliff. Finally, this plunge was followed by the natural reaction of its body, i.e. to fly.
(II) Black Aeroplane
1. “I’ll take the risk.” What is the risk? Why does the narrator take it?
Ans. A huge storm was brewing up and the author was keen to reach his home to spend his holiday with his family. So, he decided to fly through the storm as he did not want to miss the chance to meet his family at breakfast. Thus, he took the risk even when the visibility was almost zero in the storm.
2. Describe the narrator’s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm.
Ans. As the pilot (author) entered the storm, his plane started jumping and twisting. He could not see anything outside the plane as it was black. When he looked at the compass and other instruments they had stopped functioning due to the storm. It was a terrible and fearsome experience for him. The fuel tank was almost empty and he could not fly more than ten minutes. Then he saw another black aeroplane by his side and the pilot of the plane signalled him to follow. It was a surprise for the narrator as the other black plane was having no light. He followed him without any choice and landed safely on the runway.
Chapter 4: From the Diary of Anne Frank
1. Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl?
Ans. Yes, Anne was right when she said so because most of the people don’t want to give importance to a child’s perspective toward the world because they are too immature for the world. But Anne Frank has become one of the most discussed of all holocaust victims. Her ‘diary’ has been translated into many languages.
2. There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s diary different?
Ans. Anne’s diary was entirely different from most of the examples given before the text. It was somewhere closer to the memoir in which the name of Raj Kapoor has been mentioned. It was originally written in Dutch. It has an informal tone which exudes the careful nature of a teenager.
Chapter 5: Glimpses of India (A Bakes from Goa/ Coorg/ Tea from Assam)
1. What are some of the things you now know about
(i) The people of Coorg?
(ii)The main crop of Coorg?
(iii)The sports it offers to tourists?
(iv)The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
(v) Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Ans. (i) The People of Coorg are known to be descendents of the Greeks or the Arabs. This is because of their dressing style. They are independent and ferocious. They are the bravest soldiers in the Indian Army. At the same time, they are welcoming and are known for their hospitality. They have married amongst their locals and their culture is very different from what is seen in mainstream Hindus.
(ii) Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. During the monsoon season, when the weather is pleasant and the wind is blowing, it carries with it the strong fragrance of coffee. Coffee estates with colonial bungalows are abundant and even provide homestays for visitors to experience the Coorgi way of life.
(iii)A variety of high-energy adventure activities are offered to tourists like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Trekking is also one of the famous activities.
(iv)Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river Kaveri. Birds like Kingfisher and other animals like squirrels, langurs, butterflies, bees accompany you in this area while wild elephants can be seen enjoying bathing in the rivers. If you are on a trek, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be spotted on the trees.
(v) Coorg is at a distance of 260 kms from Bangalore. The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are flights to Mangalore from Mumbai, and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. There are two road routes to Coorg from Bangalore. Both are almost the same distance (around 250-260 km). The route via Mysore is the most frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.
2. Where is Coorg? (Combined representative questions from the three parts as given in the textbook.)
Ans. Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka and is located somewhere between Mysore and the coastal city of Mangalore.
Chapter 7: Madam Rides the Bus
1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this.
Ans. Valli’s deepest desire was to travel by bus. Words and phrases like “the most fascinating thing of all” and “source of unending joy” have been used to describe Valli’s deepest desire.
First Flight (Main Textbook) - Poetry
Dust of Snow (Robert Frost)
1. What is a “dust of snow”? What does the poet say has changed his mood? How has the poet’s mood changed?
Ans. The ‘dust of snow’ means the fine particles or flakes of snow. The sudden shower in the form of the dust of snow changed the poet’s mood. The poet’s mood changed from sad to happy. He felt refreshed and wanted to enjoy the rest of the day.
Fire and Ice (Robert Frost)
2. There are many ideas about how the world will ‘end’. Do you think the world will end some day? Have you ever thought about what would be the end of the world? Write a paragraph on the topic ‘How the world will end some day’.
Ans. Ans.Yes, I do think that the world will end some day. If the sun gets so hot that it bursts, it will end everything due to the heat released by it. If it grows colder, then also it will be the end for everything as without sunlight, it is very difficult to live.
The Ball Poem (John Berryman)
3. “ .... staring down all his young days into the harbour where His ball went....” Do you think the boy has had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the memories of days when he played with it?
Ans. Yes, the boy has had the ball for a long time. When it bounced into the water, all his memories of the days of childhood flashed in front of him. This led to a realisation that those moments would not come back, just like the ball. He can buy new balls and can similarly create new moments, but those that are gone would not return.
The Trees (Adrienne Rich)
4. How does the poet describe the moon: (a) at the beginning of the third stanza, and (b) at its end? What causes this change?
Ans. The poet describes the moon as a full moon in the beginning of the third stanza but at the end of the stanza, she describes it to be broken into pieces. The change in the moon is because of the trees. The trees that earlier were in the poet’s house have now reached the forest. Their long branches have cast a shadow on the full moon and now it appears to be broken into pieces like a mirror.
A Tiger in the Zoo (Leslie Norris)
5. Notice the use of a word repeated in lines such as these : (i) On pads of velvet quiet, In his quiet rage. (ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes At the brilliant stars. What do you think is the effect of this repetition?
Ans. This repetition is a poetic device used by the poet in order to increase the intensity of the tiger’s rage and his helpless silence. ‘Velvet quiet’ refers to the quiet velvet pads of the tiger, which cannot run or leap. They can only walk around the limited space in the cage. The use of ‘quiet rage’ symbolises the anger and ferocity that is building up inside the tiger as he wants to run out into the forest and attack a deer, but the rage is quiet because he is locked in the cage and is helpless. The repetition of ‘quiet’ has, thus, brought immense beauty to the poem. Similarly, the use of ‘brilliant’ for the tiger’s eyes as well as the stars also brings out the magnificence of these lines. The tiger stares at the brilliant stars with his brilliant eyes dreaming about how beautiful his life could be in the forest. The repetition thus, gives a wonderful effect to the poem.
Footprints Without Feet (Supplementary Reader)
Chapter 2: The Thief’s Story
What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospects of receiving an education? Do they change over time? (Hint: Compare, for example, the thought: “I knew that once I could write like an educated man there would be no limit to what I could achieve” with these later thoughts: “Whole sentences, I knew, could one day bring me more than a few hundred rupees. It was a simple matter to steal - and sometimes just as simple to be caught. But to be a really big man, a clever and respected man, was something else.”) What makes him return to Anil?
Ans. Anil was teaching Hari Singh to write sentences. Hari Singh's reactions changed from time to time. First, he thought if he learned to write like an educated man, he could steal more cleverly. But later he thought that stealing was a simple matter. But to be a really good man is something different. At this thought he decided to return to Anil. His conscience did not allow him to betray Anil's trust.
Chapter 5: Footprints without Feet
“Griffin was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Ans. Griffin was not bothered if he had harmed anybody in the fulfilment of what he wanted. He set his landlord’s house on fire because the landlord tried to make him leave. Then his robberies at shops and later in the village indicate that he was a lawless person. When he encountered the landlady of the inn, he threw a chair at her and her husband. Lawless persons like Griffin never think about the safety and well-being of others. They are only concerned about themselves.
Chapter 6: The Making of a Scientist
What are the qualities that go into the making of a scientist?
Ans. There are three essential qualities that make a scientist. The first is a first rate mind. Next is the presence of curiosity. Last but not the least, it is the will to do the best and win.
Chapter 7: The Necklace
The course of the Loisels’ life changed due to the necklace. Comment.
Ans. Matilda lost Mrs. Forestier’s necklace while she was dancing at the ball. Matilda and her husband had to return the necklace after borrowing eighteen thousand francs from lenders. They handed the jewel box to Mrs. Forestier who did not open the Jewel Box. After that Matilda and her husband spent a life of misery. A tremendous change came in the lifestyle of Matilda after this incident. She started living in a rented house, sent away the maid, and also started doing all the household work. She led a wretched, poor and humble life for ten years. Matilda's desire to show off and one little act of negligence or one small error led to the utter ruin of their life full of pleasures. They suffered poverty for ten years due to the debt they incurred to buy a necklace.
Chapter 8: Bholi
How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Ans. Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence and be bold. She taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. Thus, she changed her life.
Preparation Tips for English Class 10 Using NCERT
Preparation for Class 10 English exam through NCERT textbooks can be structured and efficient by following these tips.
- Focus on NCERT Textbooks - Read every chapter thoroughly. Understand themes, characters, and literary devices.
- Practice Writing - Regularly solve long and short answer questions from the textbooks. Improve grammar and vocabulary using the exercises.
- Poetry Analysis - Learn poetic devices and central ideas for poems in First Flight.
- Solve Chapter-wise Questions - Use NCERT solutions to check answers and improve presentation.
- Previous Year Papers & Sample Papers - Practice full-length papers to manage time and understand the exam pattern.
- Revise Regularly - Make notes on important quotes, summaries, and value points. Focus on frequently asked chapters like Nelson Mandela, A Triumph of Surgery, and The Necklace.
- Supplementary Reader - Do not skip Footprints Without Feet stories. They carry significant weight in exams.
FAQs
Q1. What are the NCERT books for Class 10 English?
Ans. The two main books are First Flight (main textbook) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary reader).
Q2. Where can I download NCERT Class 10 English books PDF for 2026-27?
Ans. Download free official PDFs from ncert.nic.in or download it from other educational resource websites like Educart.
Q3. Is the NCERT Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet book compulsory for board exams?
Ans. Yes, it is compulsory. Questions worth 10 marks (one long answer type question of 6 marks and extract-based questions) come from the supplementary reader Footprints Without Feet.
Q4. Do CBSE board exams ask questions only from NCERT textbooks?
Ans. Yes, almost all Literature section questions (extracts, short answers, and long answers) are directly or indirectly based on the NCERT First Flight and Footprints Without Feet textbooks. Extra reference books are not necessary if you study these thoroughly.
Q5. Has the NCERT Class 10 English textbook been fully revised under NEP for 2026-27?
Ans. No revision in the textbooks has been done for 2026-27.
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