Sample Question Paper
ENGLISH CORE
Class-XII
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. M.M. 100
General Instructions:
1. This paper is divided into four Section A, B, C and D. All the sections are compulsory.
2. Separate instructions are given with each section and questions, wherever necessary. Read these instructions very carefully and follow them faithfully.
3. Do not exceed the prescribed word limit while answering the questions.
Section A: (Reading) 30 Marks
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 12 Marks
1. Many of us believe that “small” means “insignificant”. We believe that small actions and choices do not have much impact on our lives. We think that it is only the big things, the big actions and the big decisions that really count. But when you look at the lives of all great people, you will see that they built their character through small decisions, small choices and small actions that they performed every day. They transformed their lives through a step-by-step or dayby- day approach. They nurtured and nourished their good habits and chipped away at their bad habits, one step at a time. It was their small day-to-day decisions that added up to make tremendous difference in the long run. Indeed, in matters of personal growth and character building, there is no such thing as an overnight success.
2. Growth always occurs through a sequential series of stages. There is an organic process to growth. When we look at children growing up, we can see this process at work: the child first learns to crawl, then to stand and walk, and finally to run. The same is true in the natural world. The soil must first be tilled, and then the seed must be sowed. Next, it must be nurtured with enough water and sunlight, and only then will it grow, bear fruit and finally ripen and be ready to eat.
3. Gandhi understood this organic process and used this universal law of nature to his benefit. Gandhi grew in small ways, in his day-to-day affairs. He did not wake up one day and find himself to be the “Mahatma”. In fact, there was nothing much in his early life that showed signs of greatness. But from his midtwenties onwards, he deliberately and consistently attempted to change himself, reform himself and grow in some small way every day. Day by day, hour by hour, he risked failure, experimented and learnt from mistakes. In small and large situations alike, he took up rather than avoid responsibility.
4. People have always marvelled at the effortless way in which Gandhi could accomplish the most difficult tasks. He displayed great deal of self-mastery and discipline that was amazing. These things did not come easily to him. Years of practice and disciplined training went into making his successes possible. Very few saw his struggles, fears, doubts and anxieties, or his inner efforts to overcome them. They saw the victory, but not the struggle.
5. This is a common factor in the lives of all great people: they exercised their freedoms and choices in small ways that made great impact on their lives and their environment. Each of their small decisions and actions, added up to have a profound impact in the long run. By understanding this principle, we can move forward, with confidence, in the direction of our dreams. Often when our “ideal goal” looks too far from us, we become easily discouraged, disheartened and pessimistic. However, when we choose to grow in small ways, taking small steps one at a time, performing it becomes easy.
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option. (1×4 = 4 Marks)
1. The main idea in the first paragraph is that
a. Big things, big actions and big decisions make a person great
b. Small actions and decisions are important in one’s life
c. Overnight success is possible for all of us
d. Personal changes are not important
2. What does the writer mean by saying ‘chipped away at their bad habits’?
a. Steadily gave up bad habits
b. Slowly produced bad habits
c. Gradually criticized bad habits
d. Did not like bad habits
3. Which of the following statements is true in the context of the third paragraph?
a. Gandhi became great overnight
b. Gandhi showed signs of greatness in childhood itself
c. Every day Gandhi made efforts to change himself in some small way
d. Gandhi never made mistakes
4. What is done by great people to transform their lives?
a. They approach life on a day-by-day basis
b. They build character in small ways
c. They believe in performing everyday
d. All of these
(II) Answer the following questions as briefly as possible. (1×6 = 6 Marks)
5. How do small actions and choices impact our lives?
6. Describe organic process of growth through an example from the text.
7. What according to the author is the ‘universal law of nature’?
8. How did Gandhi accomplish the most difficult tasks effortlessly?
9. Which things about Gandhi’s life were not seen by most people?
10. How can we achieve our ‘ideal goals’?
(III) Pick out words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following: 2
a. intentionally / purposely (Paragraph 3)
b. of deep significance; far-reaching (Paragraph 5)
Q2. Read the following passage carefully. (10 Marks)
1. South India is known for its music and for its arts and rich literature. Madras or Chennai can be called the cultural capital and the soul of Mother India. The city is built low in pleasant contrast to the ghoulish tall structures of Mumbai and Kolkata. It has vast open spaces and ample greenery. The majestic spacious Mount Road looks like a river, wide and deep. A stroll on the Marina beach in the evening with the sea glistening in your face is refreshing. The breeze soothes the body, it refreshes the mind, sharpens the tongue and brightens the intellect.
2. One can never feel dull in Ch
ennai. The intellectual and cultural life of the city is something of a marvel. Every street corner of Chennai has a literary forum, a debating society and music, dance and dramatic club. The intelligent arguments, the sparkling wit and dashing irony enliven both the political and the literary meetings. There is a young men’s association which attracts brilliant speakers and equally brilliant listeners to its meetings. It is a treat to watch the speakers use their oratorical weapons. Chennai speakers are by and large sweet and urbane, though the cantankerous, fire-eating variety is quite often witnessed in political campaigning. The more urbane speakers weave their arguments slowly like the unfolding of a leisurely Karnataka raga.
3. Music concerts and dance performances draw packed houses. There is hardly any cultural family in Chennai that does not learn and patronize music and dance in its pristine purity. Rukmani Devi Arundale’s ‘Kalakshetra’ is a renowned international centre. It has turned out hundreds of celebrated maestros and dancers who have brought name and glory to our country. Karnataka music has a peculiar charm of its own. It has the moon’s soft beauty and moon’s soft pace. Thousands of people flock to the temple ‘maidans’ to get drunk with the mellifluous melodies of their favorite singers. They sit out all night in the grueling heat, swaying to the rhythm of ‘nadaswaram’ and rollicking with the measured beats of ‘mridangam’. M.S Subbulakshmi is considered to be the nightingale of the South.
4. The Gods might descend from heaven to see a South Indian damsel dancing. There are several varieties of South Indian dance – Bharat Natyam, Mohini Attam, Odissi, Kathakali etc. age cannot wither nor custom stale its beautiful variety. Bharat Natyam is the most graceful and enchanting dance form whereas Kathakali is most masculine and virile. South Indian dances combine voluptuousness with purity. Here every muscle and fibre of the body vibrates into life, and as the tempo increases, a divine flame-like passion bodies forth as if making an assault on heaven.
5. South Indian dress, particularly of the males, is puritanically simple. There you cannot distinguish a judge from an ‘ardali’ by their dress. South Indian ladies too look charming and graceful in their colourful Kanjeevaram and Mysore silk saris.
6. South Indian cuisine, especially ‘dosa’, ‘idli’ and ‘vada’ are so delicious that now we can enjoy them almost everywhere in India as well as in some foreign countries. The Madras ‘idli’, which was a favourite of Gandhiji is served with ‘sambhar’ and coconut ‘chutney’.
(I) On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate option. (2 Marks)
1. South India is known mainly for its
(a) tasty food
(b) traditional music, art, literature
(c) scenic beauty
(d) delicate and precise ways
2. South Indian dances are special because
(a) Gods come from heaven to see them
(b) there aren’t many varieties of dance
(c) they are pure as well as sensuous
(d) they make an assault on heaven
(II) Answer the following questions as briefly as possible. (1×6 = 6 Marks)
3. How does the breeze on Marina Beach affect the author?
4. How do we know that music is very important for the people of South India?
5. What is the common connection between language, music and dance of South India?
6. What makes Karnataka music charming?
7. Enumerate the features of Bharat Natyam and Kathakali form of dance.
8. What is Kalakshetra renowned for?
(III) Find words from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following. 2
(a) ill-tempered and quarrelsome (Paragraph 2)
(b) smooth and sweet (Paragraph 3)
Q3. Read the following passage carefully. (8 Marks)
Whether work should be placed among the causes of happiness or among the causes of unhappiness may perhaps be regarded as a doubtful question. There is certainly much work which is exceedingly irksome, and an excess of work is always very painful. However, work is not, to most people, more painful than idleness. There are, in work, all grades; from more relief of tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker. Most of the work that most people have to do is not interesting in itself, but even that work has certain great advantages. To begin with, it fills a good many hours of the day without the need of deciding what one shall do. Most people, when they are left free to fill their own time according to their own choice, are at a loss to think of anything sufficiently pleasant to be worth doing. And whatever they decide on, they are troubled by the feeling that something else would have been more pleasant here. To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization and at present very few people have reached this level. Moreover the exercise of choice is tiresome in itself. Except, to people with unusual initiative, it is positively agreeable to be told what to do at each hour of the day, provided the orders are not too unpleasant. Most of the idle rich suffer unspeakable boredom. At times they may find relief by hunting big game in Africa or by flying around the world, but the number of such sensations is limited, especially after youth is past. Accordingly, the more intelligent rich men work nearly as hard as if they were poor. Work, therefore is desirable, first and foremost as a preventive of boredom, although uninteresting work is as boring as having nothing to do. With this advantage of work, another associated advantage is that it makes holidays much more delicious when they come. Provided that a man does not have to work so hard as to impair his vigour, he is likely to find far more zest than an idle man would possibly find. The second advantage of most paid work and some of unpaid work is that it gives chances of success and opportunities for ambition. In most work, success is measured by income and while our capitalistic society continues, this is inevitable. However dull work too, becomes bearable, if it is a means of building up a reputation. Continuity of purpose is one of the most essential ingredients of happiness and that comes chiefly through work.
A. On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it, using headings and sub – headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary – minimum 4) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. (5 Marks)
B. Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3 Marks)
SECTION B – ADVANCE WRITING SKILLS (30 Marks)
Q4. Your school is organizing a Public Awareness Exhibition. In connection with it, prepare a poster to bring home the importance of conservation of electricity. Your school is A.K. Public School, Green Park, Delhi. (4 Marks)
Or
Namita/ Namit has come out successful in the XII class examination. She/he has decided to have a party for her/his friends. Draft an invitation in about 50 words giving details of venue, time and date.
Q5. You are Amit/Amita staying at Sunrise Apartments, Gymkhana Road, Pune. The main road leading to this colony has three open manholes causing frequent accidents at night. The streetlight is also not available. Write a letter to the Editor of “The Times of India” expressing your concern about the apathy of the authorities towards this situation. Also suggest ways to mobilize city dwellers, with the help of school children, for the cause for safe roads. (6 Marks)
Or
You are Shreya/Shreyas. Write an application in response to the following advertisement in a national daily. You consider yourself suitable and eligible for this post. Applications are invited for the post of a Nursery teacher/PRT in Y.K. International School, Ghaziabad, UP. The candidate must have a minimum experience of 3 years of teaching at the primary and pre-primary level. The applicant must have a pleasant and energetic personality. She/he sho
uld be creative and adaptable. Attractive salary. Interested candidates should apply to the Principal with a detailed resume.
Q6. You are an active member of the Animals Lovers Club of your school which works for preventing cruelty to animals. Write an article in 150 -200 words for your school magazine emphasising the need to co-exist peacefully with animals. You are Zaheeda/Zahir of P. K. Senior Secondary School, Hyderabad.
Or
Over the past few years there has been a constant rise in coaching institutes and private tuition centers all over India. Write an article in about 150-200 words highlighting the exploitation of young minds that seek sincere counselling and proper direction. You are Gurpreet, a student of class XII of Indira Public School, Jamshedpur. (10 Marks)
Q7. You are Suraj/Sandhya of Gargi Senior Secondary School Delhi. Games and Sports should be made compulsory in schools. Write a speech for morning assembly on the Importance of Games and Sports in Personality Development in about 150 -200 words. (10 Marks)
Or
You have been asked to participate in a debate competition on the topic “Community service once a week should be introduced in all schools and should be graded”. Write the speech in about 200 words either for or against the motion.
SECTION – C (TEXT BOOKS & NOVEL) 40 Marks
Q8. Read the lines given below and answer the questions that follow. (4 Marks)
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
and all I did was smile and smile and smile…….
(a) Who looked pale and wan and why? (1 Mark)
(b) What was the speaker’s familiar ache? (1 Mark)
(c) Explain “as a late winter’s moon”. (1 Mark)
(d) Name the poem and the poet. (1 Mark)
Or
Surely, Shakespeare is wicked, the map a bad example,
With ships and sun and love tempting them to steal –
For lives that slyly turn in their cramped holes
From fog to endless night.
(a) Why is Shakespeare wicked? (1 Mark)
(b) Why is the map a bad example? (1 Mark)
(c) What is the condition of these children as described in these lines? (1 Mark)
(d) Explain “From fog to endless night”. (1 Mark)
Q9. Answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words each: (4×3=12 Marks)
(a) How does M. Hamel prove to be an ideal teacher?
(b) Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
(c) Mention the hazards of working in a bangle factory.
(d) Why does Dr. Sadao mutter the words “My friend” while treating the American prisoner of war? What is ironical about his words?
(e) What did Jo want Roger Skunk’s mother to be punished for?
(f) Why did Zitala-Sa not want her hair to be cut short?
Q.10. Answer the following in about 120 – 150 words (6 marks)
Though Rajkumar Shukla was an illiterate peasant; he was resolute and was able to bring a change in the lives of the people of Champaran. Taking hints from the text, write an article on the topic, “Grit and Determination can take you a long way”.
Or
A big boy pushed Douglas into the deep end of the swimming pool which could have led to his death. Concerns regarding bullying and ragging persists in many teenage groups. Quoting examples from the text, discuss the problem of bullying and its effects on the victims. Also suggest ways to deal with this problem.
Q11. Answer any oneof the following in about 120 – 150 words (6 marks)
(a) Do you think Sophie is overambitious and Jansie is more practical? Discuss.
(b) How is Derry’s and Mr. Lamb’s behavior and attitude different towards people because of their physical impairment?
Q12. Answer any oneof the following in about 120 – 150 words (6 marks)
(a) How does the author bring in natural elements into the novel “Silas Marner”
(b) Illustrate is the ending of the novel “The Invisible Man” happy and just? What is your reaction when Griffin gets killed and Marvel gets to keep all the stolen money? Are you glad that the invisibility formula is hidden from Kemp, who could use it?
Q13. Answer any oneof the following in about 120 – 150 words (6 marks)
(a) Eppie is a character who remains highly predictable in her reactions. Prove this with reference to her character traits.
(b) Why did Kemp turn out differently than Griffin? After all they are both scientists. Is Kemp less isolated than Griffin? Is it simply because Kemp has more money?
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