CBSE Class 10 Science Sample Paper 2026 Set 2 (with Solutions) — Free PDF
This sample paper covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics from the CBSE curriculum. Test your understanding of fundamental concepts and their real-wo
TL;DR: This sample paper covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics from the CBSE curriculum. Test your understanding of fundamental concepts and their re…
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
This sample paper covers Physics, Chemistry, and Biology topics from the CBSE curriculum. Test your understanding of fundamental concepts and their real-world applications. This set is longer than the board paper: 110 marks against the 80-mark CBSE pattern, so treat it as extended practice rather than a timed board rehearsal.
Board: CBSE · Class: Class 10 · Subject: Science · Total: 110 marks · Time: 4 hours
Section A: Multiple Choice (1 mark each) — 20 marks
Choose the correct answer for each question.
Q1. Which of the following is a non-renewable resource? (a) Solar energy (b) Coal (c) Wind energy (d) Hydroelectric power (1 mark)
Answer: (b) Coal
Q2. The pH value of a neutral solution is: (a) 0 (b) 7 (c) 14 (d) >7 (1 mark)
Answer: (b) 7
Q3. Which metal is most reactive? (a) Iron (b) Sodium (c) Copper (d) Gold (1 mark)
Answer: (b) Sodium
Q4. The speed of light in vacuum is approximately: (a) 3x10^8 m/s (b) 3x10^6 m/s (c) 3x10^4 m/s (d) 3x10^2 m/s (1 mark)
Answer: (a) 3x10^8 m/s
Q5. Which organelle is responsible for photosynthesis? (a) Mitochondria (b) Ribosome (c) Chloroplast (d) Golgi apparatus (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Chloroplast
Q6. The chemical formula of table salt is: (a) KCl (b) NaCl (c) CaCl2 (d) MgCl2 (1 mark)
Answer: (b) NaCl
Q7. Which is a vector quantity? (a) Speed (b) Temperature (c) Velocity (d) Mass (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Velocity
Q8. The process by which plants make their own food is called: (a) Respiration (b) Photosynthesis (c) Transpiration (d) Fermentation (1 mark)
Answer: (b) Photosynthesis
Q9. What is the SI unit of electric current? (a) Volt (b) Ohm (c) Ampere (d) Watt (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Ampere
Q10. Which of these is a compound? (a) Oxygen (b) Nitrogen (c) Water (d) Argon (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Water
Q11. The force of attraction between the earth and an object is: (a) Normal force (b) Gravity (c) Friction (d) Magnetic force (1 mark)
Answer: (b) Gravity
Q12. Which blood cells fight infections? (a) Red blood cells (b) White blood cells (c) Platelets (d) Plasma (1 mark)
Answer: (b) White blood cells
Q13. The number of chambers in a human heart is: (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5 (1 mark)
Answer: (c) 4
Q14. What type of reaction is combustion? (a) Decomposition (b) Combination (c) Oxidation (d) Reduction (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Oxidation
Q15. The wavelength of visible light is approximately: (a) 400-700 nm (b) 100-200 nm (c) 800-900 nm (d) 1000-1100 nm (1 mark)
Answer: (a) 400-700 nm
Q16. Which metal does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid? (a) Iron (b) Zinc (c) Copper (d) Calcium (1 mark)
Answer: (c) Copper
Q17. The process of conversion of glucose into ethanol is: (a) Respiration (b) Fermentation (c) Photosynthesis (d) Decomposition (1 mark)
Answer: (b) Fermentation
Q18. Ohm's law states that: (a) V=IR (b) P=VI (c) R=V/I (d) All of the above (1 mark)
Answer: (d) All of the above
Q19. Which hormone controls blood glucose levels? (a) Insulin (b) Adrenaline (c) Thyroxine (d) Cortisol (1 mark)
Answer: (a) Insulin
Q20. The principle behind electrolysis is based on: (a) Faraday's law (b) Newton's law (c) Boyle's law (d) Charles's law (1 mark)
Answer: (a) Faraday's law
Section B: Short Answer (2 marks each) — 30 marks
Answer any 10 questions briefly.
Q1. What is the difference between exothermic and endothermic reactions? Give one example of each. (2 marks)
Answer: Exothermic reactions release heat (burning wood). Endothermic reactions absorb heat (melting ice).
Q2. Explain the greenhouse effect and its impact on climate. (2 marks)
Answer: Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, preventing it from escaping to space. This causes global warming and climate change.
Q3. What are the three states of matter? Describe the arrangement of particles in each. (2 marks)
Answer: Solid: particles closely packed in fixed positions. Liquid: particles close but can move freely. Gas: particles far apart and move randomly.
Q4. How does the human circulatory system work? Name its main components. (2 marks)
Answer: Heart pumps blood through arteries to body tissues and veins return it. Components: heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, blood.
Q5. What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis? (2 marks)
Answer: Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells (2n). Meiosis produces four haploid cells (n) for reproduction.
Q6. Define refraction. How does it occur when light enters a denser medium? (2 marks)
Answer: Refraction is bending of light at an interface. Light slows in denser medium, causing the ray to bend toward the normal.
Q7. What is the role of enzymes in digestion? (2 marks)
Answer: Enzymes act as biological catalysts, speeding up the breakdown of food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed.
Q8. Distinguish between acids and bases using pH values. (2 marks)
Answer: Acids have pH < 7 (sour taste, turn blue litmus red). Bases have pH > 7 (bitter taste, turn red litmus blue).
Q9. What is osmosis? Why is it important for cells? (2 marks)
Answer: Osmosis is movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from dilute to concentrated solution. It maintains cell turgor and prevents dehydration.
Q10. Explain the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis. (2 marks)
Answer: Chlorophyll absorbs light energy (especially red and blue wavelengths) and converts it to chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.
Q11. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources? Give examples. (2 marks)
Answer: Renewable resources can be replenished (solar, wind, water). Non-renewable resources are finite (coal, oil, natural gas).
Q12. How does temperature affect the rate of a chemical reaction? (2 marks)
Answer: Higher temperature increases molecular collisions, increasing reaction rate. Lower temperature decreases collisions and slows the reaction.
Q13. What is the function of stomata in leaves? (2 marks)
Answer: Stomata allow gas exchange (CO2 enters, O2 exits) and water vapor loss. They regulate water and gas movement.
Q14. Define focal length and explain its relationship with power of a lens. (2 marks)
Answer: Focal length is distance from lens to focal point. Power = 1/f (in meters). Thicker lenses have shorter focal length and higher power.
Q15. What are the symptoms of deficiency of Vitamin C in the human body? (2 marks)
Answer: Weakness, bleeding gums, poor wound healing, anemia. The disease is called Scurvy.
Section C: Long Answer (4 marks each) — 60 marks
Answer any 10 questions with detailed explanations.
Q1. Describe the process of photosynthesis. Write the chemical equation and explain the roles of light and dark reactions. (4 marks)
Answer: Photosynthesis: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2. Light reaction occurs in thylakoids, producing ATP and NADPH. Dark reaction (Calvin cycle) in stroma uses ATP and NADPH to fix CO2 into glucose.
Q2. Explain the structure and function of mitochondria. Why is it called the powerhouse of the cell? (4 marks)
Answer: Mitochondria has double membrane with cristae. Inner membrane has electron transport chain. It performs aerobic respiration, producing ATP (energy). Called powerhouse because it generates most cellular energy through oxidation of nutrients.
Q3. Describe the process of refraction through a prism. How do different colors separate? (4 marks)
Answer: Light enters prism and refracts toward normal. Different wavelengths refract differently (shorter wavelengths bend more). Red (longer wavelength) bends less, violet (shorter) bends more. This creates dispersion into spectrum.
Q4. Explain the process of rusting of iron. What conditions are necessary? How can it be prevented? (4 marks)
Answer: Rusting is oxidation of iron to form iron oxide. Requires iron, oxygen, and water. Prevention: painting, galvanizing, oiling, alloying with chromium (stainless steel).
Q5. Describe the human nervous system. Distinguish between the central and peripheral nervous systems and their functions. (4 marks)
Answer: Nervous system processes information and coordinates responses. CNS (brain and spinal cord) processes signals. PNS (nerves) carries signals between CNS and body. Somatic PNS controls voluntary muscles, autonomic controls involuntary functions.
Q6. Explain the concept of evolution and natural selection as proposed by Darwin. (4 marks)
Answer: Evolution is gradual change in organisms over time. Natural selection: organisms with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more. Over generations, beneficial traits become common. Species adapt to environments, sometimes leading to new species.
Q7. Describe the process of digestion in the human body. Name the enzymes involved and their substrates. (4 marks)
Answer: Digestion breaks food mechanically and chemically. In mouth: salivary amylase breaks starch. Stomach: pepsin breaks proteins. Small intestine: trypsin (protein), lipase (fat), amylase (carbs). Nutrients absorbed through intestinal lining.
Q8. Explain the law of conservation of mass in chemical reactions with an example. (4 marks)
Answer: Matter cannot be created or destroyed. In a reaction, total mass of reactants equals total mass of products. Example: 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O. Mass of hydrogen and oxygen in reactants equals mass of water in product.
Q9. Describe the structure of DNA. Explain how DNA replicates during cell division. (4 marks)
Answer: DNA: double helix of two strands of nucleotides (A, T, G, C). A pairs with T, G with C. Replication: helicase unwinds strands, DNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides, resulting in two identical copies.
Q10. Explain how a simple electric circuit works. Describe the flow of electrons and the role of voltage. (4 marks)
Answer: Circuit: closed path for current flow. Voltage (EMF) from battery drives electrons through circuit. Electrons flow from negative to positive terminal (actual direction opposite to conventional current direction). Resistance opposes flow, power = V*I.
Q11. Describe the process of reproduction in plants. Explain the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction. (4 marks)
Answer: Sexual reproduction: pollen fertilizes ovule, producing seeds with genetic variation. Asexual: vegetative growth produces identical offspring (runners, bulbs). Sexual provides genetic diversity, asexual is faster.
Q12. Explain the concept of pH and buffer solutions. How do buffers maintain constant pH? (4 marks)
Answer: pH measures H+ ion concentration (log scale 0-14). Buffer: weak acid and its salt (or weak base and its salt). When acid added, anion neutralizes it. When base added, weak acid neutralizes it. Maintains relatively constant pH.
Q13. Describe the water cycle. Explain the processes involved and their importance to ecosystems. (4 marks)
Answer: Water cycle: evaporation (sun heats water), condensation (forms clouds), precipitation (rain/snow), runoff, infiltration. Cycles water between atmosphere, land, and ocean. Essential for all life, regulates climate.
Q14. Explain the concept of reflection and refraction of light. How are they different? (4 marks)
Answer: Reflection: light bounces off surface, angle of incidence equals angle of reflection. Refraction: light bends at interface between media due to change in speed. Reflection changes direction without changing medium, refraction occurs at boundaries.
Q15. Describe the structure and function of the human respiratory system. Explain gas exchange in alveoli. (4 marks)
Answer: System: nose, trachea, bronchi, lungs. Air enters through nose, travels down to alveoli (air sacs). In alveoli: CO2 diffuses from blood into alveolus, O2 diffuses from alveolus into blood. Diffusion driven by concentration gradient.
FAQs
What is the importance of practicing CBSE Science sample papers?
Sample papers help you understand the exam pattern, practice time management, identify weak topics, and build confidence for the actual exam.
Should I study all topics equally for CBSE Class 10 Science?
While all topics are important, focus more on chapters with higher weightage. However, do not completely neglect any topic as even small chapters can contribute marks.
How can I improve my understanding of complex Science concepts?
Use diagrams, create mind maps, perform experiments, watch educational videos, and discuss concepts with peers or teachers to gain deeper understanding.
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