Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions Set 5 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Set 5 with Solutions
Time: 2 Hrs.
Max. Marks: 40
General Instructions :
- 15-minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING, and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the correct question number in your answer sheet to indicate the option/s being attempted.
Section-A
Reading Skills (20 marks)
I. Read the passage given below.
1. Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us to survive in the outside world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an individual’s development restricted to merely academics? In India, from an early age, we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only; the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always considered a hoax.
This has hindered students’ development. But, the truth is that education represents a considerably broader field than we know of. Our teaching, from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades and job offers, rather than being creative and unique.
2. In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education is slowly waning away giving rise to a whole new type. The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People have now come to understand that education is a 360-degree activity that should focus on students’ overall development, rather than restricting them to the classroom.
3. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement classroom curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today. These activities help in the growth of the child, in more than one way. Participating in such activities helps the youngsters to grow mentally, socially and individually.
Intellectual development of a student may be achieved in the classroom, but for the aesthetic development such as team-building, character-building and physical growth, the students must step out into the outside world. For instance, if a student is a part of the school football team, they will learn team-work and coordination, in a practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.
4. Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a need for practical exposure so that the students can experience the actual working of an industry. For example, taking a student to a manufacturing firm will give them the real insight and better learning of the industry. Catering to this change, most professional colleges including B-schools, have started providing practical exposure to students through regular guest lectures, industrial visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals and so on.
With industry visits, students are able to better identify their prospective areas of work in the overall organizational function. Moreover, they help to enhance interpersonal skills and communication techniques. In addition, guest lectures are equally important for all-round development of students. It is a great way for students to gain maximum exposure, as guest speakers talk about their real-life experiences and not what is there in the text books.
5. Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different events wherein, they get to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom teaching provides the foundation and co-curricular or extra-curricular activities provide practical exposure and opportunities to implement what students learn in the classroom. This helps in developing the overall personality of the students, inculcating various soft skills in them, that otherwise are difficult to teach. Clearly, life beyond academics creates creative and empowered professionals.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below,
i. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option.
Students’ development is hindered by …………………….
A. limiting education to academic boundaries
B. getting out in the field
C. being creative and unique
D. gaining practical knowledge
Answer:
A. limiting education to academic boundaries.
ii. Which perception hinders a student from being creative and unique?
Answer:
The perception that it is a hoax to learn beyond the boundaries of academics by getting into the field for gaining practical experience, has hindered the student from being creative and unique.
iii. list 2 vital inputs that are necessary to make education productive according to paragraph 3.
Answer:
2 vital inputs necessary to make education productive are team spirit for proper teamwork and coordination.
iv. The shift in the education system means:
A. to restrict to classroom activities
B. to focus on academic development
C. to ignore 360° activity
D. to focus on overall development
Answer:
D. to focus on overall development.
v. The writer would not agree with the given statements based on paragraph three. EXCEPT:
A. Participating in such co-curricular activities allows the growth of a child to grow mentally, socially, and professionally
B. Teamwork and coordination in a practical way can be taught In the class too.
C. The outside world teaches aesthetic qualities such as team-building, character – building and physical growth.
D. Intellectual development isn’t developed in the classroom only.
Answer:
C. The outside world teaches aesthetic qualities such as team-building, character – building and physical growth.
vi. A paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. Based on your understanding of paragraph 2, state what paradigm shift is evident to make education utilitarian.
Answer:
Education at present is a 360° activity that involves on the overall development of the student, beyond the confines of classroom teaching.
vii. How has purity of theoretical education diversified from the college to a more holistic one, extending beyond the textbooks?
Answer:
From theoretical information in the college, it has diversified to practical exposure to industrial visits, conferences, and seminars where the guest speakers talk about their real-life experiences. This experience makes the students confident to take up challenges in a much better way.
viii. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate conclusion, with reference to the following:
For making the students aware of real insight and better learning of the industry professional colleges including B-schools (Paragraph 4) have to provide practical exposure through ……………….. and so on.
Answer:
guest lectures, industrial visits, conferences
ix. What kinds of co-curricular activities have become the point of focus today?
A. one that involves more and more children from different classes.
B. one that is mostly creative and assist in development.
C. one that takes place outside the classroom but supplements classroom curriculum.
D. one that is basically internet-based and includes DIV activities.
Answer:
C. one that takes place outside the classroom but supplement dassroom curriculum.
x. Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
A.Tradition over Modern Approach.
B. Challenges and Burden of Students.
C. The Clash of Classroom and Co-curricular Activities.
D. All-rounded Education – The New Tomorrow.
Answer:
D. All-rounded Education – The New Tomorrow.
II. Read the passage given below.
1. Cybercrime, also called computer crime, is the use of a computer as an instrument to further illegal ends, such as committing fraud, trafficking in intellectual property, stealing identities or violating privacy. Cybercrime, especially because of the popularity of the Internet, has grown in importance as the computer has become central to commerce, entertainment and government.
2. Because of the early and widespread adoption of computers and the Internet in the United States, most of the earliest victims and villains of cybercrime were AmericAnswer: By the 21st century, though, hardly a hamlet remained anywhere in the world that had not been touched by cybercrime of one sort or another.
3. In 1996, the Council of Europe, together with government representatives from the United States, Canada, and Japan, drafted a preliminary international treaty covering computer crime. Around the world, civil libertarian groups immediately protested provisions in the treaty requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to store information on their customers’ transactions and to turn this information over on demand. Work on the treaty proceeded nevertheless, and on November 23,2001, the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime was signed by 30 states.
The convention came into effect in 2004. Additional protocols, covering terrorist activities and racist and xenophobic cybercrimes were proposed in 2002 and came into effect in 2006. In addition, various national laws, such as the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, have expanded law enforcement’s power to monitor and protect computer networks.
4. In 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released a report on identity theft; in the previous year almost 1.1 million Americans had their identities fraudulently used to open bank, credit card or utility accounts. The report also stated that another 16.4 million Americans were victimized by account theft, such as use of stolen credit cards and automatic teller machine (ATM) cards.
The BJS report showed that while the total number of identity theft victims in the United States had grown by about 1 million since 2012, the total loss incurred by individuals had declined since 2012 by about $10 billion to $15.4 billion. Most of that decline was from a sharp drop in the number of people losing more than $2,000. Most identity theft involved small sums, with losses less than $300 accounting for 54 percent of the total.
5. The analysis of crime in the United States is generally split into two broad categories, violent crime and property crime. A tracking of crime rates over the last 20 years shows that violent crime in the United States has been on the decline. In 2018, reported violent crime was down almost 50 percent from 1990. However, Americans still perceive a crime problem in their country, despite evidence to the contrary. Some 60 percent of the population felt there was more crime in 2018 than the year prior.
6. Both violent crime and property crime fell in 2018 from the previous year, according to the FBI’s annual crime. Violent crime declined 3.3 percent between 2017 and 2018. Property crime decreased 6.3 percent during the same time period, according to Crime in the United States, 2018, the annual crime statistics report produced by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
7. The crifne data was voluntarily reported to the FBI by more than 16,000 law enforcement agencies across the country. In 2018, there were about 1.2 million violent crimes, according to the report. Nearly every category of violent crime decreased between 2017 and 2018. In the property crime category, there were nearly 7.2 million offenses reported in 2018. Burglaries, larceny thefts, and motor vehicle thefts all declined in 2018 compared to 2017 data. [Full Report: Crime in the United States, 2018]
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below,
i. Does the following statement agree with the information given in paragraph 1?
Cybercrime, although a danger to net security has also generated careers for cyber experts.
Select from the following:
True: if the statement agrees with the information
False: if the statement contradicts the information
i. Not Given: if there is no information on this
Answer:
Not given
ii. Do you think that the preliminary international treaty covering computer crime has led to a successful monitoring and protection of computer networks? Support your answers with reference to the text.
Answer:
Yes, the fourth passage specifically mentions that while the total number of identity thefts has grown in US by about I million since 2012, the total loss incurred by individuals had declined since 2012 by 10 billion dollars to 15.4 billion dollars.
iii. Select the option that displays the reason for drafting a preliminary international treaty covering computer
crime.
To monitor:
A. if a particular site is trafficking in child pornography
B. customer transaction and turn this information on demand
C. terrorist activities, racist ar?d xenophobic cybercrimes
D. Both A. and C.
Answer:
D. Both A. and C.
vi. Complete the sentence based on the following statement.
Of the total, only 54% identity thefts occurred with losses less than 300 dollars.
We can say this because ………………….
Answer:
the last line of para 4 provides us with the necessary information.
v. Select the option that displays the key event as NOT a “positive aspect” emerging in the US
A. violent crime declined 3.3 percent between 2017 and 2018.
B. property crime decreased 6.3 percent during the same period (2017 – 2018).
C. Burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts did not register an increase from 2017 – 2018.
D. 60 percent of the population felt there was more crime in 2018.
Answer:
D. 60 percent of the population felt there was more crime in 2018.
vi. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
The Americans used their identities fraudulently for.
A. credit cards
B. opening bank accounts
C. utility accounts
D. AU of these
Answer:
D. All of these
vii. The information gathered from the chart provided in para 5 gives us a deeper insight into the nature of the convenient crime. Give a reason for this.
Answer:
Violent crimes like assaults are not sodally acceptable and have serious punishments but larceny/theft, although not socially acceptable, do not invite any harsh punitive measures, arid therefore instances of Larceny are much greater than crimes related to ‘Aggravated Assault’.
viii. Complete the given sentence by selecting the most appropriate option.
The concluding sentence of the text makes a dear case for to be focused on for improving
the general crime status.
A. burglaries
B. larceny-thefts
C. motor cycle thefts
D. property crime
Answer:
D. property crime
ix. Complete the sentence appropriately with one/two words.
in context of paragraph 4 of the given extract, the increase in the identity of the theft victims in the US has resulted in the …………… of the total loss incurred by individuals.
Answer:
declined
x. Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the statement given below:
With more and more productive employment we find that crimes have never declined, only they have taken a newly veiled nature.
Answer:
At the end of the paragraph, we find a statement, ‘Burglaries, larceny-thefts, and motor vehicle thefts, all declined in 2018 compared to 2017 data.’
Section-B
Creative Writing Skills
III. All the names and addresses used in the questions are fictitious. Resemblance, if any, is purely coincidental.
1. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. You are Riddhi/ Ritik of Birla Public School, Gandhinagar. Draft a notice in not more than 50 words for your school notice board inviting the names of those students from classes VI to VIII who would like to participate in the debate competition on the topic ‘Technology is a Boon’.
Answer:
Notice
Birla Public School, Gandhinagar
Debate Competition
12th September, 20XX
All the students of classes VI to VIII are hereby informed that a debate competition on the topic ‘Technology is a Boon’ is going to be held on 3rd October, 20XX on the school ground. Therefore, the students who are interested to participate in the competition may give their names before 20th September to their respective class teachers.
Riddhi/Ritik
School Head boy/Head girl
OR
B. You are Mahender, Sports Captain, St John’s School, Lucknow. Write a notice in about 50 words for the school notice board informing the students about an Inter-school Football match to be played in your school. Invite them to watch and cheer the teams.
Answer:
ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL, LUCKNOW
NOTICE
23rd April 20XX
Inter School Football Match
This is to bring to the notice of all the students that an Inter-school match is being organized by the school,
as per the details given below :
Date :24th April 20XX
Time: 10 a.m. onwards
Venue : School football ground
All the students are invited to attend the match and cheer for the teams.
Mahender
Sports Captain
2. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Your school is planning to organise a talk on the ‘Importance of Promoting Art Education’ at all levels. You plan to invite The Director, Delhi School of Art, as a Key Note Speaker. As CCA Coordinator of Vidya Mandir Vidyalaya, draft an invitation in not more than 50 words for the same giving all the necessary details.
Answer:
The Principal and the staff of
VIDYA MANDIR VIDYALAYA
Takes immense pleasure in inviting The Director,
Delhi School of Art As a Keynote Speaker on the topic
‘IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING ART EDUCATION
On 12th September, 20XX at 11.00 a.m. at
The School Auditorium
We would be pleased if you could confirm your presence as the guest of honor.
With Profound Regards,
CCA Coordinator Vidya Mandir Vidyalaya
OR
B. Your brother Anil is getting married to Sakshi (D/o of Mr. & Mrs. K.M. Bhargava). Your father has planned to hold the wedding at Hotel Ananta, Simla on 22nd November, 20XX at 8:00 p.m. Write a formal invitation in about 50 words on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. S.N. Sharma inviting guests to solicit the occasion.
Answer:
3. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. You feel that India will face a severe water crisis by the year 20XX. Write a letter to the Editor of ‘The National Daily’ in 120-150 words expressing your concern about it and requesting individuals and authorities
Answer:
12, Ashok Marg,
New Delhi
12th August, 2OXX
The Editor,
The Times of India,
New Delhi
Subject: Concern over severe water crisis and remedial measures.
Sir,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to express my concern over the severe water crisis that India will face by the year 2050. It is true that water forms a major part of the earth but most of it is not fit for human consumption. India is facing one of its major and most serious water crisis. Water scarcity in India is due to both natural and man-made causes. Main factors that contribute to water issues include overpopulation. lack of awareness, poor management of resources, lack of government attention, increased corporate privatization, industrial and man-made waste.
Eighteen percent of the world’s population which resides in India has an access to 4 percent of usable water sources. After two consecutive years of weak monsoons, 330 million people; a quarter of the country’s population are affected by a severe drought. In addition, water scarcity in India is expected to worsen as the overall population is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by year 2050.
The effects of water shortage will result into global warming and ultimately the melting of glaciers. Thus it has become necessary to take immediate action by increasing social awareness among people regarding the use of water. Various campaigns should be organised and school children should also be taught how to use the water economically. Various methods can be devised to save water. Through your reputed daily I wish to draw the attention of the concerned Ministry and authorities towards the seriousness of the issue. I also appeal to people to use water sagaciously. I hope you will assist me in this cause by publishing my letter in your newspaper.
Yours truly,
Shailesh/Shalini
OR
B. You are Kushagra/Kushi, resident of 124, Rana Sanga Marg, New Delhi. You read an advertisement given by Milaan University in ‘THE NEWS’ which requires a lecturer in Botany for their new campus at Chandigarh. Apply for the same in 120-150 words giving your bio-data separately.
Milan University
Wanted Lecturer in Botany
Application from eligible, qualified and experienced candidates are invited for the post of Botany Lecturer for Chandigarh Campus. Application must be submitted in the prescribed format through e-mail at recruit.mil.
ac.in on or before 20th Janu20)(X. Hard copy must reach by 25th January, 2OXX.
Answer:
124, Rana Sanga Marg,
New Delhi-000 001
10th January, 2OXX
The Principal,
Milaan University,
New Delhi- 000001
Subject: Application for the post of lecturer in botany
Sir/Madam,
In response to your advertisement in ‘The NEWS’ dated 4th January, 2OXX for the post of Botany Lecturer in your new campus based in Chandigarh, I wish to offer my candidature. I would like to bring to your notice that I possess all the aforementioned qualities required for the post. I am enclosing a copy of my bio-data for your perusal and kind consideration. I am available for the interview on any day of your convenience. If given a chance to serve you, I assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity and dedication upto your satisfaction.
End:
(i) Bio-data
(ii) Testimonials
BIO-DATA
Name : KushagrafKushi
Father’s Name : 0m Agarwal
Date of Birth: 17th May 1987
Communication Address: 124, Rana Sanga Marg, New Delhi-000 001 Phone- 98XXXXXXXX
E-Mail Address: kus123@gmail.com
Nationality: Indian
Academic Qualifications : (i) B.Sc. (Hons) Delhi University with 88% marks
: (ii) M.Sc. (Botany) Delhi University with 86% marksExperience: 5 years as Botany Lecturer in Hansraj College
Languages: Good command over spoken and written English.
Hobbies: Reading and Travelling
References: 1. Sanjay Singh, Principal, Apeejay School, Delhi. Ph-XXXXXXXXXX
: 2. Rachna Sareen, HOD, Physics, Delhi University. Ph- XXXXXXXXXX
Looking forward to a favorable response.
Thanking you,
Yours truly,
Kushagra/Kushi
4. Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. Taking selfies has become a rage and is a global phenomenon. It has proven both harmful and has also immortalized several moments. Write an article for a National Daily 120-150 words on the trend of taking selfies and its impact on people. You are Aditi/ Aditya. Support your ideas with cues given below.
- An essential part of people’s daily routine.
- Social Media is responsible.
- Teenagers use it to seek attention and to show off.
- They take high risks.
- It poses a lot of negative impacts on our society, economy.
Answer:
Trend of Taking Selfies and It’s Impact
By Aditi/Aditya
The craze for taking selfies has been increasing day by day and it has covered a huge space all over the newsfeeds and home pages on social networking websites. In fact, it has become an essential part of people’s daily routine. For them, to take a selfie is completely necessary. Every second there is a selfie that is updated with a unique caption and tons of hashtags that are not really related to the whole picture.
Now the question arises, why people are so much obsessed with taking selfies? Social Media has been responsible for making selfie popular especially among teenagers. Since famous celebrities and other TV personalities have social media accounts, other teenagers tend to see how they strike a pose and get million likes. They are too occupied in taking selfies that they do not enjoy the moment or the nature.
It is their way of expressing their self and to test how they really look. Unfortunately, some use it to seek attention and to show off what they possess and what they’re doing. For this they take high risks such as performing dangerous stunts. Selfie is sometimes meant to attract other users to follow
you or add you as a friend. But the psychological effects of selfie have been very serious especially for teenagers. There is a need to create awareness amongst the people regarding the drawbacks of taking selfies. It poses a lot of negative impacts on our society, economy and to everyone’s life. The development of technology should not be misused and the people who are addicted to it should be prevented from it with a helpful solution.
OR
B. A massive fire due to short circuit gutted 50 odd shops in the congested area of Sadar Bazar in Delhi leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with The Tribune write the report for the newspaper in 120-150 words.
Support your ideas with cues given below.
- The fire erupted on the first floor at 5:00 a.m.
- Fire engines able to control the blaze by 7.30 a.m.
- Huge loss of property worth 2 crore.
- No one was hurt.
- The government announced a compensation of 1,00,000 rupees.
Answer:
Massive Fire Broke Out in Sadar Bazaar
By XYZ, (The Tribune)
New Delhi, 20th May, 20XX:
A huge fire broke out at a marketplace in old Delhi’s Sadar Bazar area on Wednesday evening. The fire erupted on the first floor of a building at 5:00 a.m., according to the sources of Delhi Fire Service. Twenty fire engines immediately rushed to the site and after a brave fight and struggle they were able to control the blaze by 7.30 a.m. A fireman also sustained some severe bums and got his leg injured.
Police sources say that the fire was caused due to short circuit and spread quickly surrounding the huts. The furniture market is spread over 2,000 square yards and the fire had spread rapidly as a large amount of wood and plastic material was stored in the area. Nearly 50 shops were gutted in the fire in the congested area of Sadar Bazar in Delhi leading to huge loss of property. Although the people were not hurt as the fire broke out early morning and the shops were closed. A call was received around 5:15 a.m.
regarding the fire and immediately the Fire Department was informed. However, Vinod Goyal, Director of the Delhi Fire Service, said: “We received the information at 5.25 a.m. and immediately, the fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze”. Total estimated loss is around 2 crores. The government has announced a compensation of 1,00,000 rupees for damages of business and 50,000 for those who have lost their homes.
Section-C
Literature
IV. Read the given extracts to attempt the questions with reference to context.
1. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given. A. “Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing A flowery band to bind us to the earth, Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways Malie for our searching: yes, in spite of all, Some shape of beauty moves away the pall From our dark spirits.” (A Thing of Beauty)
i. What is the tone of the poet in these lines?)
A. Thoughtful
B. Lamenting
C. Excited
D. Sad
Answer:
A. Thoughtful
ii. Identify the phrase/s which means the following:
We often face gloomy moments, unhappiness and setbacks in our lives.
Answer:
Of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
iii. What quality of humans cari be derived from these lines?
A. Hopeful for life
B. Filled with rage
C. Looking forward for a peaceful life
D. Discontented
Answer:
A. Hopeful for life
iv. Complete the following analogy correctly. Do NOT repeat from used example.
Are we wreathing a flowery band: inversion:: ……………..: imagery
Answer:
flowery band to bind us
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to (1) and (2) given below.
(1) The beautiful things of the world help us to continue our lives by taking away the darkness.
(2) Our lives on earth are filled with sufferings arid gloom.
A. (1) is true and (2) is false.
B. (2) is true and (1) is false.
C. (1) is the reason of (2).
D. Both (1) and (2) are true without any relation between them.
Answer:
D. Both (1) and (2) are true without any relation between them.
vi. Fill the blank with an appropriate word, with reference to the extract.
We wreath flowery band to bind us to the earth in spite of …………….. .
Answer:
the hopelessness and gloom in our lives
OR
B. “Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes, but after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away.
I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon and felt that old familiar ache, my childhood’s fear, but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile ……………..”
i. Choose the line with the same poetic device as used in the second line of the extract.
A. Flowers are to nature what song is to the soul
B. I want to be carefree like a bird
C. Variety is the spice of life
D. The chair has decided on the matter
Answer:
B. I want to be carefree like a bird
ii. What does the phrase “merry children spilling out of their homes” indicate?
A. Nostalgic
B. Fulfilling
C. Jolly
D. Pleasant
Answer:
C. Jolly
iii. The thoughts and emotions in the minds of the author include .
(i) Nostalgic
(ii) Apprehensive
(iii) Jolly
(iv) Afraid
(v) Irritated
Choose the most appropriate option.
A. (i) and (iii)
B. (ii) and (iv)
C. (i), (iii) and (iv)
D. Only (iv)
Answer:
B. (ii) and (iv)
iv. Answer in ONE word.
When the author says she “felt that old familiar ache”, she experiences
Answer:
the fear of losing her mother.
v. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) She diverted her mind from the thought to look at the playing children.
(2) She was apprehensive of losing her mother as she was ageing.
A. (1) is true but is not the reason of (2).
B. (2) is true and caused by (1).
C. Both are not related.
D. (1) was the reason of (2) and both are true.
Answer:
D. (1) was the reason of (2) and both are true.
vi. Which of the following is an apt title forthe extract?
A. Losing you
B. Love you, mum
C. Goodbye mum
D. What if I lose you?
Answer:
B. Love you, mum
2. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.
A. Because he prevented a British Officer from fulfilling his desire, the Maharaja stood in danger of losing his kingdom itself. The Maharaja and the dewan held deliberations over his issue. As a result, a telegram was despatched to a famous British company of jewellers in Calcutta. (The Tiger King)
i. List one thing that the British Officer was most fond of.
Answer:
To take a picture along with the body of a tiger.
ii. Select the option that clearly gives the option not suggested to the British officer in the extract.
A. Aboarhunt
B. A mouse hunt
C. Mosquito hunt
D. Tiger hunt
Answer:
D. Tiger hunt
iii. Select the option that best describes why the king did not agree when the officer condescended to have a photograph along with a tiger shot by the king.
A. It was against his principles
B. For fear of creating a precedent
C. He wanted to insult the officer
D. It was a strategy to impress people
Answer:
B. For fear of creating a precedent
iv. 3.lakhs was spent by the king. State for what purpose was the money spent.
Answer:
3 lakhs was spent to retain the kingdom.
OR
B. “A white man!” Hana whispered.
Yes, it was a white man. The wet cap fell away and there was his wet yellow hair, long, as though for many weeks it had not been cut and upon his young and tortured face was a rough yellow beard. He was unconscious and knew nothing that they did for him. (The Enemy)
i. Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract.
The writer refers to the face as ‘tortured’ because …………………
Answer:
he was unconscious due to bullet injury.
ii. Which of the following is NOT ‘the correct description of the fugitive’?
A. A white man
B. Dry yellow hair
C. Long yellow hairs
D. All of these
Answer:
B. Dry yellow hair
iii. Select the most suitable title for the given extract.
A. The Unknown Fugitive
B. The Rescue
C. The Enemy Within
D. The Escape
Answer:
A. The unknown fugitive
iv. Why does the writer refer to ‘not knowing anything’ for the white man?
Answer:
Due to bullet injury and long struggle to escape from certain death at the hands of Japanese, he got unconscious, so he did not know anything that was being done for him.
3. Attempt ANY ONE of two extracts given.
A. What about the injustice to the sharecroppers, Gandhi demanded. The lawyers withdrew to consult. Rajendra Prasad has recorded the upshot of their consultations-”They thought, amongst themselves, that Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet he was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants; if they, on the other hand, being not only residents of the adjoining districts but also those who claimed to have served these peasants, should go home, it would be shameful desertion.” They accordingly went back to Gandhi and told him they were ready to follow him into jail.
“The battle of Champaran is won,” he exclaimed. Then he took a piece of paper and divided the group into pairs and put down the order in which each pair was to court arrest.” (Indigo)
1. Select the option that completes the given sentence appropriately.
The lesson the lawyers learn from Gandhi is of …………………
A. Unity
B. Courage
C. Wisdom
D. Both A and B
Answer:
D. BothAandB
ii. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following analogy:
Shameful : disgraceful:: abandonment: ………………..
Answer:
desertion.
iii. Select the correct option to fill in the blank:
Gandhi’s action signify.
A. Power of being an influential lawyer
B. Effective leadership
C. Kindness
D. Intelligence
Answer:
B. Effective leadership
iv. Choose the option that is TRUE according to the given extract
Rajendra Prasad’s role at Champaran was of a:
A. friend
B. recorder of events
C. representative of the oppressed
D. secretary to Gandhi
Answer:
C. representative of the oppressed
v. Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the lawyers thought that Gandhiji, as a stranger was prepared to go to prison in the interest of the poor peasants. (Clue: a phrase)
Answer:
for the sake of
vi. “The battle of Champaran” was won due to :
Answer:
Different classes of people being fearless and coming together to voice their concerns for the oppressed.
OR
B. Then all efforts ceased. I relaxed. Even my legs felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain. It , wiped out fear; it wiped out terror. There was no more panic. It was quiet and peaceful. Nothing to be afraid of. This is nice.., to be drowsy… to go to sleep… no need to jump… too tired to jump… it’s nice to be carried gently… to float along in space… tender arms around me… tender arms like Mother’s… now I must go to sleep… I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell. (Deep Water)
i. Which option indicates that author lost consciousness?
A. It was quiet and peaceful
B. I crossed to oblivion
C. Tender arms like Mother’s
D. It wiped out fear
Answer:
B. I crossed to oblivion
ii. Rewrite the sentelce by replacing the underlined phrase with its inference.
I crossed to oblivion, and the curtain of life fell.
Answer:
I crossed to oblivion, and I fell unconscious.
iii. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement (1): The author tried his best to jump out of water.
Statement (2): After a while, the author was not anxious in water.
A. If Statement I is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.
B. If statement 1 is the effect, Statement 2 is the cause.
C. Both the statements are the effects of a common cause.
D. Both the statements are the effects of an independent cause.
Answer:
A. If Statement 1 is the cause, Statement 2 is the effect.
iv. Rationalise, to support the given opinion:
I relaxed. Even my legs felt limp; and a blackness swept over my brain.
Answer:
When there is no hope left to save one’s life, it is a total let-go of all exertions to struggle and the brain stops all reactions to the inevitable death.
v. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract.
The snake had not died, although its effort to slither away continued.
Answer:
ceased.
vi. The ‘curtain of life fell’ corresponds to an aspect of .
A. Geometry
B. History
C. Sports
D. Drama
Answer:
D. Drama
V. Answer ANY FIVE of the following in about 40-50 words each.
i. Who did M. Hamel blame when Franz was unable to answer a question on French participles?
(The Last Lesson)
Answer:
M. Hamel blamed people of Alsace for not learning French. He blamed the parents who send their children to work in the fields and mills instead of sending them to school. He blamed himself also for not fulfilling his duty as a teacher sincerely, by sending the children to water the plants declaring a holiday whenever he wanted to go for fishing.
ii. How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers different from her? (Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger)
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers were different from her completely. Aunt Jennifer was weak, meek and scared of expressing her feelings openly. She was bonded in the ties of matrimony and faced several restrictions. On the other hand, the tigers were strong, fearless and confident. They were bold creatures and were not scared of anyone. They moved about freely.
iii. Why does Anees Jung say that the bangle makers are caught in a vicious web? (Lost Spring)
Answer:
The bangle makers are caught in a vicious web because they are compelled by family and traditions to follow the same profession of their forefathers. They are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen, policemen, lawmakers, bureaucrats and politiciAnswer: They work hard day and night but are not paid properly. They cannot even form cooperatives for their betterment.
iv. What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet7?
Answer:
The poet in the poem, ‘Keeping Quiet7 refers to the ‘sadness’ of failing to understand oneself due to the monotony of everyday life. Man, having no time to introspect his actions and always in the rush of competition, is gradually ripped off of humanity.
v. What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to Edla? (The Rattrap)
Answer:
In the letter, the peddler thanked Edla for being nice to him and for showing all her kindness and treating him as a real captain . The peddler thanked her for changing him as a person and gifted her a rattrap requesting her to return the old man’s money that he had stolen.
vi. ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ is an emotional account of the poet’s feelings about her old mother. Justify. (My Mother At sixty-Six)
Answer:
‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ is an emotional account of the poet’s feelings about her old mother. She felt very sad and depressed on seeing her pale, weak, and worn out. She tried her best to divert her thoughts but remained unsuccessful and those thoughts kept haunting her mind. Till the end of the poem, she felt very sad and disappointed about the declining age of her mother.
She was unable to express her fears and emotions to her mother because of the thought of disheartening her. She bade goodbye to her mother by just smiling in order to hide her hurt feelings and encourage her mother.
VI. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 40-50 words each.
i. How did ‘The World’ help Charley to confirm his doubts regarding the existence of a third level?
(The Third Level)
Answer:
‘The World’, a popular newspaper helped Charley to confirm his doubts regarding the existence of the third level. When he reached the third level he was confused. Later, he noticed that ‘The World’, that had stopped its publication before 1994, was still available. It was dated June 11, 1894.
ii. What happened on the seventh day after Dr. Sadao had typed the letter? (The Enemy)
Answer:
On the seventh day after Dr. Sadao had typed the letter, two things happened. First, the cook, the gardener and Yumi packed up their belongings and left the house together. But Hana put up a brave front. Second thing was the arrival of a messenger to tell Dr. Sadao that he had been called to the palace as the General was in pain again.
iii. How did Gondwana disintegrate? (A Journey To The End of the Earth)
Answer:
Gondwana thrived for 500 million years but with the time when the dinosaurs were wiped out and the age of the mammals got underway, the landmass was forced to separate into countries, shaping the globe as we know it today. Antarctica was the central part of Gondwana. India was pushed northwards jamming against Asia and forming the Himalayas. South America drifted off to join North America opening up the Drake Passage to create a cold circumpolar current.
VII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words.
i. The prose selections, The Last Lesson and Lost Spring, is about the awareness for taking things available easily for granted and not being valued. As a quality controller of an eminent institution of Delhi Public School, Shastripuram, Agra, you have to make the students aware of the uncertainties in life and make them feel the need of saving the resources which may not be of any use to them but can help alleviate the lives of destitute children. You also have to convince the audience about the needs of the poor and downtrodden people before any uncertainties come to take away things that you take for granted.
Answer:
My Dear Teachers, and Students,
I wish you all a ‘Happy Teacher’s Day’ and extend a warm welcome to all to this session. The intention of this meeting is to apprise you of the urgency to understand and realise how poverty crushes the will to dream beyond poverty and hopelessness. My aim is to reach the students of XII standard. Dear sons and daughters, I will speak with conviction based on the facts that you too must have got acquainted with from the two chapters of your English Text book ‘Flamingo’.
I too had the lucky opportunity to go through the first two Chapters- ‘The Last Lesson’ and ‘Lost Spring’. Poverty and loss of freedom can be too excruciating for those who haven’t seen shortages. It can never be romantic to lose your independence like how it was related in the first chapter, The Last Lesson, nor can it be elevating to find yourself utterly hopeless to better your life from the morass of painful poverty. There are too many real characters from the second Chapter, The Lost Spring to recount. A Saheb-e- Alam, or a son of a poverty ridden priest of a temple and so on.
Loss of identity, dear students may be a painful thing, but what if you find a quote that says, “Food is more important for survival than identity”! Some do not have any strength of belongingness to say that they have lost their nationalities! Most of them in utter hopelessness have lost the will to dream. Inhuman working conditions have left most of them numbed. No stars to dream yet there is a bright side of it.
One such boy dreamt to be a car driver. It should draw pity from all the students who are going to embark on their new careers. For some in this session, losing a nationality may bring in loads of opportunity by getting highly paid jobs. But not for Saheb-e-Alam from Dhaka. Nor do the rag pickers have any hope to get riddance from their poverty.
My humble message is that while you all embark on a future journey of success, do give yourself the necessary pain to help find ways to better the lives of these unfortunate ones. This will be your test to be a good human apart from being a brilliant professional in your life.
Thank you for hearing me out. God bless you all.
OR
ii. ‘He’s going to buy a shop,” Sophie said from the table. Her father grimaced. “Where did you hear that?” “He told me so.” He muttered something inaudible and dragged himself round in his chair. “This another of your wild stories?” The prose selection, Going Places includes the pithy and witty comment of Sophie’s father about Sophie.
In Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, we are told that – ‘Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool Find even the ivory needle hard to pull. The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.’ Imagine that Sophie’s father and Aunt Jennifer meet and after exchanging pleasantries sit down to discuss day to day matters that keep their families in an iron-tight grip to make ends meet.
Answer:
Sophie’s father: Hello, Mrs. Jennifer, how are you?
Aunt Jennifer: So, so, how are you all? What is your daughter doing nowadays?
Sophie’s father (with a frown on his face): Oh! That silly girl, I don’t know when she will get rid of her day-dreaming. I am fed up!
Aunt Jennifer: Oh, dear, what happened?
Sophie’s father: Just come to think of it, Jennifer, what an impractical girl I have. She has never been level-headed in her life. Just come to think of it, she intends to buy a boutique if she comes to money! She wants to be an actress! How fatuous! Silly I would say.
Aunt Jennifer: My dear, try to understand, try to recall that we too, in our younger days dreamt a lot. Have you forgotten that? I used to have grand dreams of a good life, before marriage. Look what has come of it. Now I am crushed with burdens of household chores. And then I’m at the beck and call of my husband. He brings orders from the market for embroidery of table cloths, and see I have stooped with years of crushing work. Only if youth knew and age could.
Sophie’s father: I am worried about this girl. I don’t know when she will ever come to her senses. Dreaming to be another Mary Quant! Cooking up wild stories, Danny Casey getting infatuated with her. What nonsense!
VIII. Answer ANY ONE of the following in about 120-150 words.
i. After having written the story The Tiger King the author Kalki,thinks of a different ending that he felt would have been more satirical, if he put the end in a different way.
Imagine yourself to be Kalki and express your thoughts.
Answer:
The end seems to be ludicrous and does give it a deep fund of humour. Yet I feel it could have been presented in a different way. Let me think. Suppose the hunters were after all not on the regular payrolls of the Maharaja. They do not care a damn about the Maharaja and his foolish ways. They report that they killed the tiger as the tiger had just fainted from the shock of the bullet whizzing past. Since it jumped to attack them they had to kill him.
The maharaja scared of his fate had a nightmare that night that the hundredth tiger attacked him and he dies of heart attack. None could understand the mystery of his death. This could be a more viable alternative to the end of the story.
OR
ii. Both Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana experienced a certain repulsiveness even in the hospitality extended by his professor, whom he considered a dull man and found his wife to be a silly talkative woman. He even found his landlady slatternly and ignorant. Americans were full of prejudice and he had felt bitter to live there. Though the landlady had nursed him through influenza, yet he found it repulsive to be grateful to her.
As a part of research, in 120-150 words, compare and contrast the way Dr. Sadao and his wife put their life at peril to save a young American during World War, working with their professional excellence to save the American marine as well as prove themselves indispensable to the old General.
Answer:
Humanism or Patriotism?
Posted by Sukhvinder Solanki on 21 September, 20XX
The dilemma that we often face in life can be too painful. Which one is more important? Wars and ” human-made compartments of Nationality, national pride, patriotism versus humanism: which one is more important? Circumstances can throw you to choose between two noble concepts of patriotism and ‘ humanism. Surprised?!!
Here is an example of professionalism giving credence to humanism over nationalism.
I can say in full A faith that the world needs a fresh whiff of humanity over everything else. Yet as intelligent humans we have divided ourselves on the basis of nationalities, language barriers, racism, ideologies, culture, religion, the list is too long to enumerate. But the world needs noble examples of people who transcend these man-made barriers. Dr. Sadao and his wife put their safety to peril by saving a helpless American soldier whom the ocean has flung up at the shore.
Despite the scare of being slated as a traitor during war time, his professional honesty makes him save both the Japanese general as well as the American Mariner. His honesty impresses even the General as he too feels that he is indispensable for him. Despite being under pressure, he lets the American escape at night. The world needs such enlightened people to feel us more secure, as humans inhabiting one planet.