Class 8 English: Sample Paper - 3 | Sample Papers For Class 8 PDF Download

Time: 3 Hours
​Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:

• All questions are compulsory.
• ​Read the questions carefully and answer to the point.
• ​Marks are indicated against each question.

Section A – Reading (20 Marks)

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (10 Marks)

Passage: Books are often called our best friends because they never leave us, no matter the circumstances. Unlike human friends, they do not judge us, argue with us, or disappoint us. Instead, they provide comfort, knowledge, and inspiration whenever we open their pages. Books can take us into the past, introduce us to new ideas, and transport us to places we may never visit in reality. A person who develops the habit of reading not only gains information but also strengthens imagination, improves confidence, and learns to communicate more effectively.
In today’s fast-paced world, technology offers quick and easy access to information through the internet. However, this instant availability often lacks depth and reliability. Books, on the other hand, are considered trustworthy because their content is carefully researched and preserved. They also encourage patience and concentration, qualities that are often neglected when one spends too much time on digital devices.
Thus, while technology may provide speed, books provide wisdom. They are timeless treasures that guide us, shape our thoughts, and help us grow into better individuals. The habit of reading is therefore one of the most valuable gifts a person can give to oneself.

(a) Why are books considered better than human friends in some ways?

(b) List three benefits of developing the habit of reading books.

​(c) According to the passage, how is technology different from books?

(d) Find words from the passage that mean:

(e) Write a summary of the passage in 3–4 lines.

Read the poem carefully and answer the questions: (10 Marks)

Poem: Beneath the soil, a seed lies still,
Through winter’s frost and autumn’s chill.
It dreams of light it cannot see,
Of roots to grow, of wings to be.
The clouds arrive, the raindrops fall,
The sun responds to nature’s call.
From silent depths, new life will rise,
Reaching with hope towards the skies.
Not just a plant, but a tale retold,
Of patience, courage, and strength untold.
For every ending plants a start,
A seed of faith in every heart.

(a) How does the poet describe the condition of the seed in the first stanza?

(b) What role do the sun and rain play in the growth of the seed?

(c) What qualities of life does the poet compare to the growth of a seed?

(d) Identify two examples of figurative language in the poem and explain them.

​(e) What is the central theme or message of the poem?

Section B – Writing (20 Marks)

Q1. Notice / Message / Invitation Writing: (5 Marks)
Write a notice for your school notice board about a “Tree Plantation Drive”
 OR
Write a message to your cousin inviting them to spend the winter holidays with you.

Q2. Letter / Email Writing: (8 Marks)
Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting better sports facilities in your school
OR
Write an informal letter to your friend telling them about the new hobby you have started.

Q3. Paragraph / Story / Diary Entry: (7 Marks)
Write a paragraph on “The Role of Discipline in Student Life”
OR
Write a short story beginning with: “The alarm rang at 6 a.m., but I decided…”

Section C – Grammar (20 Marks)

Q1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs: (4 Marks)
(a) She _______ (study) in Class 8.

​(b) They _______ (play) cricket yesterday evening.

​(c) I _______ (wait) for you since morning.

​(d) He _______ (be) very kind to everyone.

Q2. Change into reported speech: (4 Marks)
(a) Rina said, “I love painting.”

​(b) The teacher said, “Work hard and you will succeed.”

Q3. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions: (4 Marks)
(a) The train is arriving _______ 6 o’clock.

​(b) She divided the cake _______ four parts.

​(c) We walked _______ the park.

​(d) The book is lying _______ the table.

Q4. Rewrite the sentences correctly: (4 Marks)
(a) He don’t likes tea.

​(b) She can sings well.

​(c) We was going to the market.

(d) They has completed their project.

Q5. Identify the figure of speech: (4 Marks)
(a) The classroom was a zoo.

​(b) The stars danced in the sky.

Section D – Literature (Poorvi) (20 Marks)

Short Answer Questions (2 Marks each, 5 × 2 = 10 Marks) (Answer any 5)

Q1. How does The Wit that Won Hearts show that presence of mind can solve problems?

Q2. What qualities of Verghese Kurien do you admire in I Too Had a Dream?

Q3. What act of bravery made Major Somnath Sharma a true hero in A Tale of Valour?

Q4. What lesson about kindness do we learn from the poem Somebody’s Mother?

Q5. What magical power did the brush have in The Magic Brush of Dreams?

Q6. How does the poem Waiting for the Rain describe people’s hopes?

Q7. How did Encyclopedia Brown solve the puzzle in The Case of the Fifth Word?

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks each, 2 × 5 = 10 Marks) (Answer any 2)

Q1. Explain how honesty is highlighted in the story A Concrete Example. Give examples from the text.

Q2. Write a character sketch of Verghese Kurien based on I Too Had a Dream.

Q3. Discuss the theme and message of the poem Oh, I Wish I’d Looked After Me Teeth by Pam Ayres.