Top 10 Important Topics in CUET English 2026

CUET English 2026 exam will be conducted between May 11 and May 31, 2026. Candidates preparing for exam can check the top 10 important topics in CUET English based on previous year question paper analysis. Check the expected questions for each top English topic here.

CUET English section is one of the most important components of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) for admission to top central universities such as Delhi University, BHU, JNU, and others. CUET exam assess candidate’s reading ability, grammar knowledge, vocabulary, and overall understanding of the English language. To score above 200 marks or 95 percentile in CUET English 2026, candidates must focus on the most important and frequently asked topics. CUET UG 2026 exam will be held tentatively between May 11 and May 31, 2026. Based on the latest CUET exam pattern and previous year trends, here are the top 10 important topics in CUET English that every aspirant should prepare thoroughly.

CUET English Top 10 Important Topics

Based on CUET English previous year question papers, candidates can check the list of top 10 CUET English topics and their expected questions below:

1. Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension is the most important and highest-weightage topic in CUET English. A significant portion of the questions is based on passages.

Expected CUET 2026 Reading Comprehension Questions

Question 1: According to the passage, the root cause of medical misery is:

Options:

1. Diseases
2. Obesity
3. Cancer
4. Stroke

Correct Answer: B. Obesity

Question 2: What did Ashlyn’s ability resemble in the passage?

Options:

1. Librarian’s instinct
2. Musician’s ear
3. Teacher’s understanding
4. Artist’s creativity

Correct Answer: A. Librarian’s instinct

2. Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms and antonyms test a candidate’s vocabulary strength and word knowledge. These questions are usually direct and scoring.

Expected CUET 2026 Synonyms and Antonyms Questions

Question 1: Choose antonym of Capricious:

Options:

1. Fickle
2. Inconsistent
3. Steadfast
4. Impulsive

Correct Answer: C. Steadfast

Question 2: Choose a synonym of Maledroit:

Options:

1. Clumsy
2. Skillful
3. Expert
4. Intelligent

Correct Answer: A. Clumsy

Question 3: Choose synonym of Prodigious:

Options:

1. Small
2. Remarkable
3. Weak
4. Tiny

Correct Answer: B. Remarkable

Question 4: Choose synonym of Ignominious:

Options:

1. Shameful
2. Honorable
3. Respectable
4. Glorious

Correct Answer: A. Shameful

Question 5: Choose meaning of Impromptu:

Options:

1. Planned
2. Prepared
3. Spontaneous
4. Written

Correct Answer: C. Spontaneous

3. Idioms and Phrases

Idioms and phrases test the candidate’s understanding of commonly used expressions in English.

Expected CUET 2026 Idioms and Phrases Questions

Question 1: Break the ice means

Options:

1. Break something
2. Start conversation
3. End friendship
4. Fight

Correct Answer: B. Start conversation

Question 2: Hit the nail on the head means:

Options:

1. Miss the point
2. Exactly correct
3. Hurt someone
4. Break object

Correct Answer: B. Exactly correct

Question 3: Cost an arm and a leg means:

Options:

1. Cheap
2. Expensive
3. Free
4. Useless

Correct Answer: B. Expensive

Question 4: Burn midnight oil means:

Options:

1. Sleep early
2. Study late
3. Wake early
4. Eat late

Correct Answer: B. Study late

Question 5: Jump on the bandwagon means:

Options:

1. Oppose trend
2. Join popular trend
3. Ignore trend
4. Fight trend

Correct Answer: B. Join popular trend

4. One Word Substitution

In this topic, candidates must replace a phrase with a single word.

CUET 2026 Expected One Word Substitution Questions

Question 1: One who writes chronicles:

Options:

1. Chef
2. Chronicler
3. Reporter
4. Writer

Correct Answer: B. Chronicler

Question 2: One who lives in a place:

Options:

1. Visitor
2. Inhabitant
3. Traveler
4. Tourist

Correct Answer: B. Inhabitant

Question 3: Peculiar habits are called:

Options:

1. Idolatry
2. Clemency
3. Idiosyncrasy
4. Laurels

Correct Answer: C. Idiosyncrasy

Question 4: One who steals literary work:

Options:

1. Author
2. Thief
3. Plagiarist
4. Writer

Correct Answer: C. Plagiarist

Question 5: Removal of objectionable part:

Options:

1. Expurgate
2. Remove
3. Delete
4. Edit

Correct Answer: A. Expurgate

5. Para Jumbles

Para jumbles test logical thinking and understanding of sentence sequence.

CUET 2026 Para Jumbles Expected Questions

Question 1: Rearrange to form a meaningful sentence:

(A) disrupting the natural flow of reading

(B) the intended meaning of a given text

(C) ambiguity unintentionally creates confusion

(D) for the readers, making it harder to follow

Options:

1. C, B, A, D
2. B, A, C, D
3. C, A, D, B
4. D, C, A, B

Correct Answer: A. C, B, A, D

Question 2 Rearrange:

(A) delicate verse in nature’s never-ending song

(B) wind stirred

(C) across the cobblestone streets

(D) autumn leaves scattering

Correct Answer: B, D, C, A

Question 3: Rearrange:

(A) detect hidden beneath snow

(B) hunt for prey

(C) snowy owls perch

(D) use excellent eyesight

Correct Answer: C, D, B, A

6. Active and Passive Voice

This topic tests knowledge of sentence structure and verb usage.

CUET 2026 Active & Passive Expected Questions

Question 1 :Active: She wrote a letter.

Passive form:

Options:

1. Letter wrote by her
2. Letter was written by her
3. Letter written by her
4. Letter is written

Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Active: They completed the project.

Passive:

Options:

1. Project completed
2. Project was completed by them
3. Project completes
4. Project is complete

Correct Answer: B

Question 3: Passive: The work was done by him.

Active:

Options:

1. He does work
2. He did work
3. He done work
4. He doing work

Correct Answer: B

Question 4: Active: Teacher teaches students.

Passive:

Options:

1. Students taught
2. Students are taught
3. Students teaching
4. Students teach

Correct Answer: B

7. Direct and Indirect Speech

Direct and indirect speech questions test understanding of reported speech.

Complete the sentence from provided reporting verbs:

1. They _____ that I go with them.
2. The doctor ______ rest for two days.
3. The chairperson _______ that plans be changed.
4. The landlord ______ that I pay the rent by Tuesday latest.

Reporting verbs:

1. recommended
2. demanded
3. insisted
4. proposed

8. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions with specific meanings.

9. Figure of Speech

Figure of speech questions test understanding of literary expressions.

10. Error Spotting

Error spotting questions test grammar accuracy.

Read More:

How to Score 180+ in CUET English 2026?