Chapter 4: From the Diary of Anne Frank

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (7)

1. Q1Short answer12 marksAsked: 2026

   Answer ANY FOUR of the following five questions, in about 40-50 words each : 4x3 = 12 I. What is the important lesson of life that the boy learns from the loss of the ball ? (The Ball Poem) II. What unexpected event does Valli face and how is it ironically significant for the little child ? (Madam Rides the Bus) III. Give a brief description of Anne Frank’s family. (From the Diary of Anne Frank) IV. What was the cause of conflict between Natalya and Lomov ? (The Proposal) V. What is ‘yellow hair’ a symbol of in “For Anne Gregory” ? Discuss. (For Anne Gregory)

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · Short answers, First Flight lessons

   1. 1.From the loss of his ball the boy learns that loss is a part of life. Money is external; it cannot buy back what is lost. He has to learn the 'epistemology of loss', that is, how to bear a loss on his own and stand up again. This lesson is an important step in growing up.3 marks
   2. 2.On her way back, Valli saw the young cow that had run merrily in front of the bus earlier, now lying dead by the roadside, hit by some vehicle. Ironically, the creature that had given her the happiest moment of her trip brought her face to face with death. Her joy turned to sadness, and she lost all interest in the view outside.3 marks
   3. 3.Anne describes her father as the most adorable father; he married at 36 when her mother was 25. Her sister Margot was born in Frankfurt in 1926 and Anne in 1929. Being Jewish, the family moved to Holland in 1933, where her father became Managing Director of the Dutch Opekta Company. Her grandmother lived with them and died in January 1942.3 marks
   4. 4.(IV) Lomov came to propose marriage to Natalya. Before he could propose, he mentioned 'my Oxen Meadows'. Natalya insisted that the meadows belonged to her family, and they quarrelled bitterly. Later they fought again over whose dog, Guess or Squeezer, was better. Their quarrelsome nature was the real cause of the conflict. OR (V) In 'For Anne Gregory', yellow hair is a symbol of outward, physical beauty. The poet says young men will love Anne for her yellow hair and not for herself. She replies that she can dye her hair, but the poet says only God could love her 'for yourself alone and not your yellow hair'. So the poem contrasts outer beauty with inner worth.3 marks

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

2. Q2Case-based5 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given : A. “Paper has more patience than people. I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding : Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I’m not planning to let anyone else read this stiff backed notebook grandly referred to as a ‘diary’, unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won’t make a bit of difference.” (From the Diary of Anne Frank) I. In light of the excerpt, what can we infer about the speaker’s emotional state? II. The narrator enhances the narrative technique of the extract by using : (A) descriptive language (B) literary allusions (C) humour (D) reflective III. Fill in the blank with the correct word from the bracket : The narrator doesn’t plan to let anyone read her diary as she doesn’t have any real ________. (friend / incidents) IV. Why does the narrator say that ‘paper has more patience than people’? OR B. “He was silent, stupefied, in dismay, at the sight of his wife weeping. He stammered, “What is the matter? What is the matter?” By a violent effort, she had controlled her vexation and responded in a calm voice, wiping her moist cheeks, “Nothing. Only I have no dress and consequently I cannot go to this affair. Give your card to some colleague whose wife is better fitted out than I.” He was grieved, but answered, “Let us see, Matilda. How much would a suitable costume cost, something that would serve for their occasions, something very simple?” She reflected for some seconds thinking of a sum that could ask for without bringing with it an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the economical clerk.” (The Necklace) I. What can we infer about Matilda’s emotions and financial situation based on her husband’s reaction and her response to not having a dress for the affair? II. Which of the following is NOT a reason for Matilda’s distress in the extract? (A) She has no suitable dress for the affair. (B) She is upset about her husband’s reaction. (C) She is worried about the cost of a suitable costume. (D) The card did not bear her name. III. What did Matilda suggest that her husband do with the card ? IV. In the given extract what does the term ‘economic clerk’ imply ?

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · Extract, Anne Frank's diary

   1. 1.I. We can infer that the speaker, Anne, is depressed, lonely, bored and listless. She sits at home with her chin in her hands, brooding, and cannot even decide whether to stay in or go out.1 mark
   2. 2.II. (D) reflective. The narrator looks inward and thinks over her own feelings and the saying 'Paper has more patience than people', which gives the extract its reflective tone.2 marks
   3. 3.III. The narrator doesn't plan to let anyone read her diary as she doesn't have any real friend.1 mark
   4. 4.IV. The narrator says 'paper has more patience than people' because paper is non-judgmental. It listens quietly to all her thoughts and feelings without interrupting, criticising or getting tired of her, so paper is more patient than humans. Since she has no real friend to confide in, she wants the diary to be her friend.1 mark

   • In Part I, name the feeling directly: write "depressed, lonely, bored and listless".
   • In Part IV, write both ideas: paper is "non-judgmental" and "paper is more patient than humans".

   Marks split as in the board’s published marking scheme

3. Q3Case-based5 marksAsked: 2023

   Attempt any one of the given extracts : (a) Let me put this more clearly, since no one will believe that a thirteen-year old girl is completely alone in this world. And I’m not. I have loving parents and a sixteen years old sister, and there are almost thirty people I can call friends. I have a family, loving aunts and a good house. No, on the surface I seem to have everything, except my one true friend. All I think about when I am with friends is having a good time. I can’t bring myself to talk about anything, but ordinary everyday things. (i) On the surface, it appears that Anne the thirteen year old girl ____. (ii) How can we infer that the speaker felt alone in the world ? (a) She had a family of many people. (b) She had loving parents. (c) She had thirty friends. (d) She craves for a true friend. (iii) Anne and her friends talked about ____. (a) their problematic parents (b) their financial problems (c) common everyday things (d) the commuting problems (iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text : alone : friends : : nothing : (v) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the idiom ‘bring myself’ from the extract : (a) to do something willingly (b) to do something unwillingly (c) a charitable act (d) an involuntary act OR (b) Mrs. Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. She was convinced that the room was haunted by spirits and that the stranger had somehow caused these to enter into her furniture. (i) Mrs. Hall tripped because ____ (a) the floor was oily. (b) she was standing on a chair. (c) she was in a state of panic. (d) the door was slammed. (ii) Mrs. Hall suspected everything in the room was put under a spell of witchcraft by ____. (iii) Fill in the blank with one word only : Mrs. Hall was afraid that spirits had entered her ____. (iv) According to the extract, the feeling of Mrs. Hall can be best described as (1) stunned (2) happy (3) awestruck (4) nervous (5) outraged (6) agitated Select the correct option : (a) (2) and (4) (b) (3) and (6) (c) (5) and (6) (d) (1) and (6) (v) ‘Spirits’ in the above lines means the same as (a) ghosts (b) conscience (c) ego (d) attitude

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · extract, From the Diary of Anne Frank

   1. 1.(a)(i) On the surface, it appears that Anne has everything: loving parents, a sister, about thirty friends, aunts and a good house. OR (b)(i) (c) she was in a state of panic.1 mark
   2. 2.(a)(ii) (d) She craves for a true friend. OR (b)(ii) the stranger.1 mark
   3. 3.(a)(iii) (c) common everyday things. OR (b)(iii) furniture.1 mark
   4. 4.(a)(iv) everything. OR (b)(iv) (d) (1) and (6), that is, stunned and agitated.1 mark
   5. 5.(a)(v) (b) to do something unwillingly. OR (b)(v) (a) ghosts.1 mark

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

4. Q4Case-based5 marksAsked: 2023

   6. Attempt any one from (A) and (B) given below : (A) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5x1=5 I wrote the three pages Mr. Keesing had assigned me and was satisfied. I argued that talking is a student's trait and that I would do my best to keep it under control, but that I would never be able to cure myself of the habit since my mother talked as much as I did, if not more, and that there's not much one can do about inherited traits. (i) Who was Mr. Keesing ? (a) English teacher (b) Social Science teacher (c) Warden (d) Principal (ii) According to the extract, the incorrigible habit possessed by the speaker was I. making noise in class II. talking too much III. procrastinating IV. coming late to class V. asking irritating questions Select the correct option : (a) I and III (b) Only II (c) I, IV and V (d) Only III (iii) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the extract. routine : habit : : characteristic : ________ (iv) Select the reason why the narrator is unable to control her trait. (a) She had deliberately practised it. (b) She wanted to be different from her brother. (c) Her teacher had encouraged her to continue as she was. (d) She had inherited it. (v) Which of the following most nearly means the opposite of the phrase 'under control' ? (a) to spend less (b) unable to take on the challenge (c) find it difficult to manage (d) being very stubborn OR (B) Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : 5x1=5 His landlord disliked him and tried to eject him. In revenge, Griffin set fire to the house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes. Thus it was that he became a homeless wanderer, without clothes, without money and quite invisible — until he happened to step in some mud, and left footprints as he walked ! (i) Griffin's landlord tried to eject him because (a) he was a lawless person. (b) he had set his house on fire. (c) he didn't like him. (d) he was a drug addict. (ii) Fill in the blank with one word only. Griffin deliberately removed his clothes because he wanted to become ________. (iii) Select the option that correctly captures the application of the word 'fire' as used in this extract. (a) Griffin said that he would fire the manager. (b) The soldiers opened fire at the enemy. (c) His remarks provoked heavy fire from the political opponents. (d) The Amar Palace was completely destroyed by the fire. (iv) Griffin's presence was felt when (a) he jumped into the water with a splash. (b) he wore clothes. (c) he left muddy footprints. (d) he stepped in mud. (v) Which of the following is not true with reference to the given extract ? (a) Griffin had become penniless. (b) Griffin promised to behave himself. (c) Griffin revealed himself by his muddy footprints. (d) No one could see Griffin when he took off his clothes.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) (a) English teacher. Mr Keesing was Anne's teacher. He was annoyed with her because she talked so much in class, so he gave her a three-page essay on talking as extra homework.

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5. Q5Case-based5 marksAsked: 2023

   (a) 6. (a) Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : 5 x 1 = 5 I started right away at the Montessori nursery school. I stayed there until I was six, at which time I started in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs. Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heartbreaking farewell. In the summer of 1941 Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with little celebration. (b) 6. (b) The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London ? And where was the man ? 5 x 1 = 5 As they gazed, a remarkable sight met, their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere ! Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (i) (c) Anne Frank. The speaker is Anne Frank. She is giving a short account of her own life in her diary, beginning with her schooling at the Montessori nursery school.

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6. Q6Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

   Mention the details that Anne provides about her family in her diary. (From the Diary of Anne Frank)

   How the model answer begins

   1. Anne describes her father as the most adorable father she has ever seen. He did not marry her mother until he was 36 and she was 25.

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7. Q7Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

   In ‘From the Diary of Anne Frank’, Anne’s writing reflects her maturity despite her young age. Elaborate.

   How the model answer begins

   1. Anne's writing shows a maturity far beyond her age. The level of writing was way mature for a thirteen year old. She is self-aware and shows introspection. She admits, "Maybe it's my fault that we don't confide in each…

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Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "From the Diary of Anne Frank" carry in CBSE Class 10 English?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 2 marks and about 0 questions a year; by marks it ranks 14 in English.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "From the Diary of Anne Frank"?

The 7 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 7 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the AskMedha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.