Class 8 English Model Paper 2025 | With Answer Key (NCERT Based)

Central Board of Secondary Education

Class - VIII

Subject: English

Model Question Paper (With Answer Key)

Time: 3 Hours      Max Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. The question paper is divided into four sections – A, B, C and D.

2. All questions are compulsory.

3. Write answers neatly in sequence.

4. Marks are indicated against each question.

Section – A (Reading – 10 Marks)

1. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow: (1×5=5)

Books are our best friends. They give us knowledge and wisdom. Good books guide us to follow the right path in life. Reading develops thinking power and imagination. A person who reads regularly never feels lonely. Therefore, reading habits should be encouraged among children.

(a) Who are our best friends?
(b) What do good books give us?
(c) What does reading develop?
(d) How does a reader never feel?
(e) What should be encouraged among children?

2. Read the poem and answer the questions: (1×5=5)

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”

(a) What are lovely, dark and deep?
(b) What has the poet to keep?
(c) What must the poet do before sleeping?
(d) Who is the poet of these lines?
(e) Find the rhyming word of "keep".

Section – B (Grammar – 20 Marks)

3. Fill in the blanks with correct forms of verbs: (1×4=4)

(a) She _______ (go) to school every day.
(b) They _______ (play) cricket now.
(c) He _______ (not/like) sweets.
(d) I _______ (be) very tired yesterday.

4. Rewrite the sentences correctly: (1×4=4)

(a) He go to school daily.
(b) I has a pen.
(c) She are my best friend.
(d) The boys was playing in the ground.

5. Do as directed: (1×4=4)

(a) Make negative: She is happy.
(b) Make interrogative: They are reading.
(c) Change to passive voice: The teacher teaches English.
(d) Use ‘because’ in a sentence.

6. Combine the sentences using suitable conjunctions: (1×4=4)

(a) He worked hard. He failed.
(b) I like tea. I don’t like coffee.
(c) You must work hard. You will not pass.
(d) We were tired. We kept working.

7. Rearrange the words to make meaningful sentences: (1×4=4)

(a) teacher / is / kind / our.
(b) book / a / reading / I / am.
(c) friends / playing / my / are / football.
(d) dog / faithful / a / is / animal.

Section – C (Literature – 30 Marks)

8. Answer any four questions in 30-40 words each: (2×4=8)

(a) Why was Taro’s father sad? (From “Taro’s Reward”)
(b) How did the king of Siam reward the clever girl?
(c) What did the postmaster do after reading Lencho’s letter?
(d) Why did the poet compare the squirrel’s tail to a question mark?
(e) What did Kalpana Chawla inspire young Indians to do?

9. Fill in the blanks from the poem: (1×4=4)

(a) The woods are _______ dark and deep.
(b) But I have _______ to keep.
(c) And miles to go before _______.
(d) And miles to go before _______.

10. Answer in one word: (1×8=8)

(a) Who wrote “The Tsunami”?
(b) Who is the poet of “The Squirrel”?
(c) What is the moral of “The Ant and the Cricket”?
(d) What did Taro bring for his father?
(e) Who wrote “A Short Monsoon Diary”?
(f) Where did Lencho live?
(g) Who is described as "tramp of feet, voices loud"?
(h) What is the opposite of “friend”?

11. Long Answer (any two) (4×2=8)

(a) Describe the character of Lencho.
(b) Write the theme of “Taro’s Reward”.
(c) What qualities made Kalpana Chawla an inspiration?

Section – D (Writing – 20 Marks)

12. Write a paragraph on any one: (5 Marks)

(a) My Best Friend
(b) Importance of Trees
(c) My Favourite Game

13. Write a letter to your friend telling him about your new school. (5 Marks)

14. Write a short story with the given outline: (10 Marks)

A lion – caught in a net – a mouse cuts the net – lion free – moral.

📚 Answer Key (Complete Solutions) 📚

Section – A (Reading)

1. Answers:

(a) Books are our best friends.
(b) They give us knowledge and wisdom.
(c) Reading develops thinking power and imagination.
(d) A reader never feels lonely.
(e) Reading habit should be encouraged among children.

2. Answers:

(a) The woods.
(b) Promises.
(c) He must go miles.
(d) Robert Frost.
(e) Sleep.

Section – B (Grammar)

3. Answers:

(a) goes
(b) are playing
(c) does not like
(d) was

4. Correct Sentences:

(a) He goes to school daily.
(b) I have a pen.
(c) She is my best friend.
(d) The boys were playing in the ground.

5. Answers:

(a) She is not happy.
(b) Are they reading?
(c) English is taught by the teacher.
(d) I stayed home because it was raining.

6. Answers:

(a) He worked hard but he failed.
(b) I like tea but I don’t like coffee.
(c) You must work hard or you will not pass.
(d) We were tired yet we kept working.

7. Rearranged Sentences:

(a) Our teacher is kind.
(b) I am reading a book.
(c) My friends are playing football.
(d) A dog is a faithful animal.

Section – C (Literature)

8. Short Answers:

(a) He was sad because he was cold and thirsty.
(b) He rewarded her with gold.
(c) He sent money to help Lencho.
(d) Because its tail looks like a question mark.
(e) To dream big and achieve success.

9. Fill ups:

(a) lovely
(b) promises
(c) I sleep
(d) I sleep

10. One Word:

(a) Sonali Deraniyagala
(b) Mildred Bowers Armstrong
(c) Hard work is the key to success.
(d) Sake (magic drink).
(e) Ruskin Bond
(f) On the crest of a low hill.
(g) School children.
(h) Enemy.

11. Long Answers:

(a) Lencho was simple, hardworking, had great faith in God.
(b) Theme: Reward of sincerity, hard work and care for parents.
(c) Kalpana Chawla’s determination, courage and passion inspired all.

Section – D (Writing)

12. Paragraph (Sample – My Best Friend):

My best friend’s name is Rahul. He is very honest and kind. He helps me in studies. We play together. I like him very much.

13. Letter (Sample):

Dear Friend,
I have joined a new school. The teachers are helpful and kind. The classrooms are neat and clean. There is a big library and playground. I am very happy here.
Yours lovingly,
Amit

14. Story (Sample):

Once a lion was caught in a net. A little mouse came and cut the net with his teeth. The lion was free. He thanked the mouse.
Moral: A friend in need is a friend indeed.