Important Questions: CBSE Class 10 English — First Flight Chapter 5 Glimpses of India / The Trees / Fog

Chapter 5 of Class 10 English First Flight is an anthology-style chapter comprising three prose travel essays collectively titled 'Glimpses of India' and two short poems. The prose section includes 'A Baker from Goa' (Lucio Rodrigues), 'Coorg' (an unsigned travelogue), and 'Tea from Assam' (Arup Kumar Datta). The poetry section features 'The Trees' by Adrienne Rich and 'Fog' by Carl Sandburg. In the 2024-25 CBSE board exam, this chapter typically contributes 8-10 marks across the 40-mark Reading and Literature sections. Expect 4-5 MCQs (1 mark each) from the prose and poems combined, one 2-mark extract-based VSA from either poem, one 3-mark short answer from Glimpses of India focusing on cultural or thematic interpretation, and one 5-mark long answer on The Trees analysing its eco-critical stance and poetic devices. The chapter tests your ability to compare regional cultures, decode metaphor and imagery, and articulate environmental themes with textual support.

Multiple-choice questions from Chapter 5 test factual accuracy, close reading, and quick inference. CBSE typically includes 4-5 MCQs across the prose essays and poems in the Term-2 or annual exam. These questions ask you to identify the setting, pick the correct literary device, or recall specific cultural details mentioned in the text. For VSAs, you may be asked to name the poet, define a term used in the essay, or complete a sentence from the poem. The key to scoring full marks is reading each piece at least twice and noting proper nouns—places, food items, and exact phrases used by the authors. Mark-saving tip: in MCQs on poetic devices, eliminate options that name devices not present in the extract (for example, if there is no comparison, 'simile' cannot be correct).

Two-mark questions usually present a 3-4 line extract from The Trees or Fog and ask you to identify a poetic device, explain a metaphor, or state what the lines reveal about the theme. In the CBSE marking scheme, 1 mark goes to identification and 1 mark to a brief but accurate explanation with reference to context. For Glimpses of India, 2-mark questions may ask you to describe a custom, contrast two regions, or explain why a particular tradition is important to the narrator. Always quote or paraphrase a relevant line from the text to earn the explanation mark. Avoid one-word answers; even if the question says 'name the device,' add a half-sentence justification. Time management tip: spend no more than 2 minutes per 2-mark question, writing 30-40 words in total.

Three-mark questions from Glimpses of India ask you to analyse a cultural practice, compare two essays, or discuss the narrative tone and purpose. For The Trees, you may be asked to explain a stanza's meaning or identify two devices and their contribution to the theme. CBSE awards 1 mark for content accuracy, 1 mark for relevant textual reference or example, and 1 mark for clarity and coherence of expression. Aim for 50-60 words, structured as: one-sentence answer + supporting quote or detail + brief interpretation or link to theme. Do not write generic statements like 'it is very important' or 'the poet wants to say'—be specific about what the text reveals and why it matters. In the 2024-25 exam pattern, expect one 3-mark question from either the prose cluster or The Trees.

Five-mark questions demand comprehensive thematic exploration, multiple textual references, and analysis of literary techniques. The Trees is the most frequent source for such questions, where you must discuss eco-criticism, poetic devices (personification, enjambment, imagery, metaphor), and the poet's critique of urbanisation. CBSE awards marks as follows: 2 marks for theme and interpretation, 2 marks for relevant quotes and device identification, and 1 mark for expression and structure. Write 100-120 words in three clear paragraphs: introduction stating the theme, body with quotes and device analysis, and conclusion linking to broader environmental or social relevance. Do not retell the poem line by line; instead, argue a point and support it with evidence. For Glimpses of India, a 5-mark question might ask you to compare all three essays or discuss how they collectively represent India's diversity.

CBSE question-setters for Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 5 employ three main strategies. First, they test cultural literacy and regional knowledge through factual MCQs and short questions on Glimpses of India—expect questions that ask for specific details like the name of the baker's furnace, Coorg's geographical claim to fame, or the Chinese tea legend. Second, they assess your ability to decode poetic devices and imagery in The Trees and Fog, often presenting a 2-3 line extract and asking you to name and explain a device or interpret symbolism. Third, they frame long-answer questions that require you to synthesise theme, device, and textual evidence, especially for The Trees, where eco-criticism and personification are evergreen topics. Question stems often include 'discuss,' 'analyse,' 'how does the poet,' and 'compare'—each demanding structured, evidence-backed responses. The shift to competency-based assessment in 2024-25 means more inferential and application-level questions: instead of 'What does the baker wear?', expect 'Why does the narrator emphasise the baker's dress? What does it reveal about cultural continuity?' Understanding this pattern helps you prepare targeted answers rather than rote-learning the text.

One frequent error is conflating the three Glimpses of India essays—writing about tea plantations when the question is on Goan bakers, or attributing Coorg's martial tradition to Assam. Always reread the question to confirm which essay it refers to. In poetry answers, students often name devices without explaining their effect; for example, stating 'the poet uses personification' earns no marks unless you add 'by giving the trees human actions like straining and working, the poet highlights their agency and rebellion.' Another pitfall is writing answers in the first person ('I think the trees symbolise…'); use third person and attribute interpretation to the text or poet. For 5-mark answers, avoid retelling the poem stanza by stanza; instead, organise your response thematically. Many students also skip quoting exact lines, relying on vague references like 'the poet says.' CBSE marking schemes reward precision: quote or closely paraphrase specific phrases and cite them in quotation marks. Finally, handwriting and presentation matter—underlining key terms, maintaining margins, and writing legibly can gain you the expression mark in borderline cases.

From the 2024-25 session, CBSE introduced case-based or integrated questions that combine a short unseen passage, data, or visual with a text from the syllabus. For Chapter 5, expect a case comprising a newspaper clipping on vanishing traditional crafts or a chart on deforestation rates, followed by 3-4 sub-questions linking the case to Glimpses of India or The Trees. Each sub-question carries 1-2 marks and tests comprehension, inference, and textual connection. For instance, a case on Goa's declining bakery trade might ask: (a) Why is the pader's profession significant in the essay? (b) What value does preserving such traditions teach us? (c) Suggest one way communities can sustain heritage crafts (application). Similarly, a case on urban green cover loss could link to The Trees, asking you to explain how the poem's theme mirrors the data. To excel, practice reading short passages quickly, identifying the link to your chapter, and framing concise, evidence-based answers within the word limit.

An effective revision plan for Chapter 5 starts with reading each piece once for comprehension, then a second time to note themes, devices, and quotable lines. Create a one-page summary sheet for each essay and poem listing: main idea, 3-4 key details or quotes, poetic devices (for poems), and one probable exam question. Practice writing 3-mark and 5-mark answers under timed conditions—3 minutes for a 3-mark question, 7 minutes for a 5-mark question—to build speed and conciseness. Use past years' CBSE question papers (available on cbse.nic.in) to identify recurring question types; for example, The Trees appears almost every year in either extract or long-answer form. For MCQs, solve at least 20 questions from NCERT exemplar and sample papers to familiarise yourself with distractor patterns. One week before the exam, do a full-chapter mock test: 5 MCQs (5 min), one 2-mark extract (2 min), one 3-mark (5 min), and one 5-mark (8 min)—total 20 minutes. Self-assess using the CBSE marking scheme. If you are struggling with literary devices, platforms like CBSETUTOR.ai offer 24×7 AI-powered doubt solving: upload a photo of the poem stanza, ask 'What device is used here and why?', and get an instant, curriculum-aligned explanation—all for ₹999/month across classes 6-12, with a 3-day free trial to test the feature before board exams.

CBSETUTOR.ai is a 24×7 AI tutor designed specifically for CBSE students in classes 6-12, offering instant, curriculum-aligned answers to doubts from NCERT Class 10 English First Flight. For Chapter 5, you can photograph any question from your school worksheet or sample paper—whether it is an extract-based MCQ, a 3-mark interpretation task, or a 5-mark analytical question on The Trees—and receive a step-by-step model answer within seconds. The platform explains literary devices in simple language, provides alternative phrasings for better expression, and even suggests how to structure long answers to maximise marks under the CBSE scheme. Unlike generic study apps, CBSETUTOR.ai grounds every response in NCERT terminology and official guidelines, so you will never encounter American idioms or irrelevant examples. The subscription costs a flat ₹999 per month for all subjects and all classes (6-12), and a 3-day free trial lets you test photo-upload solving, practice question banks, and concept videos before committing. For students in Tier-2 cities or those juggling school and self-study without expensive coaching, this on-demand support bridges the gap, ensuring no doubt goes unresolved during exam preparation.