CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2019-20)
MARKING SCHEME
ENGLISH (CORE)
CLASS XII

Time allowed: 3 Hrs.                                                                                                       Maximum Marks: 80

SECTION-A (READING) 20 Marks

1. 1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the passage, complete the statements given below by choosing the most appropriate option: (Any five) 1X5=5

(a) i. limiting education to academic boundaries.
(b) iv. to focus on overall development.
(c) iii. intellectual development.
(d) ii. their real life experiences.
(e) iv. the foundation
(f) ii. creativity

1.2 Answer the following briefly: 1X5=5

(a) Being creative and unique
(b) Students must step out into the outside world.
(c) Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement classroom curriculum.
(d) Visiting industries will give a better insight into industries
(e)Soft skills are developed only through practical exposure and opportunities to implement what they have learnt.

1.3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following: 1×2=2

(i) Hoax
(ii) Coordination

2. (a) NOTE MAKING: 5 Marks

Title: Artificial Intelligence: Not a threat                1

NOTES     3

1. Not a threat

(a) a help
(b) makes life easier
(c) no profession defunct

2. AI will help legal field

(a) recog. human speech and object
(b) making decisions based on data
(c) translates langs.
(d) do search and find tasks

3. AI cannot perform high level tasks like

(a) writing legal briefs
(b) advising clients
(c) apprng. in courts
(d) sharp decision making

4. Function of AI

(a) collates data
(b) predicts probable outcomes
(c) tells return on invst.
(d) considering agreement or arbitration

Key to Abbreviations: 1

(a) Artificial Intelligence = AI
(b) recognises = recog.
(c) languages = langs.
(d) appearing = apprng.
(e) investment = invst.

(b) Summary        3 Marks

Artificial Intelligence is not a threat but makes life easier especially in the legal field. It cannot perform certain high level tasks like writing legal briefs, advising clients, making sharp decisions and appearing in courts. It can collate data, aid research and decisions based on data, recognize human speech and translate languages. It can also predict probable outcomes, tell return on investment, consider agreement or arbitration and is thus advantageous to legal firms.

SECTION – B (WRITING SKILLS) 30 Marks

3. POSTER WRITING: 4 Marks

Format: 1 mark
Content: 2 marks
Expression: grammatical accuracy, spellings: 1 mark

Suggested value points:

1. Purpose/ objective
2. Persuasive language-use of slogan/emotional appeal/catchy phrases/jingles
3. Simple cartoon or caricature
4. Issuing authority

(Due credit should be given for the economy of words used and creative display.)

OR

INFORMAL INVITATION: 4 Marks

Content: 2 marks
Expression: grammatical accuracy, spellings: 2 marks

Suggested value points:

1. Addressing the Director
2. Event- a talk on the ‘Importance of Promoting Art Education’
3. Requesting him to be Key Note Speaker
4. Ask for confirmation/ availability

(Due credit should be given for the economy of words used and well formatted response.)

4. (Note: No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted. However, mixing up of the two is NOT acceptable. Word Limit: 120- 150 words.)

Suggested value points:

Format: 1 mark
(1. Sender’s address, 2. date, 3. receiver’s address, 4. subject heading, 5. Salutation, 6. Complimentary close.)
Content: 3 marks
Expression: 2 marks
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 1
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: 6 Marks

Para 1: Introduction – reason for writing the letter
Para 2: Reasons for water shortage – Increasing population – Lack of awareness – Careless use – Lack of International cooperation

Effects of water shortage: Global warming – Glaciers melting
Suggestions/Solution: Increase social awareness – Organize campaigns to raise awareness – Teach school children – Devise water saving methods

Para 3- conclusion
(Summing up of the reasons, effects and suggestions combined with their own views. Due credit to be given to creative responses.)
OR
(Note: No marks are to be awarded if only the format is given. Credit should be given to the candidate’s creativity in presentation of ideas. Use of both the traditional and the new format is permitted. However, mixing up of the two is NOT acceptable. Word Limit: 120- 150 words.)

Format: 1 mark
(1. Sender’s address, 2. Date, 3. Receiver’s address, 4. Subject heading, 5. Salutation, 6. Complimentary close)
Content: 3 marks
Expression: 2 marks
(Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 1
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1

Suggested value points:

FORMAL LETTER: PLACING AN ORDER: 6 Marks

1. Placing an order to Pearl Publishers
2. Order detail with approval of quotation-
3. Mentioning the books needed for all age levels
4. Mentioning the quantity
5. Delivery date
6. Mode of payment
7. Any other relevant point

(Originality of ideas to be given due credit.)

5. ARTICLE WRITING: 10 Marks

Format: 1 mark
Heading and Writer’s Name – Suggested Heading: Taking Selfies: A Rage
Content: 4 marks
Expression: 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 2½
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 2½

Word Limit: 150- 200 words

Suggested value points:

Introduction

1. Mention briefly the problems associated with the selfie
2. Culture and its ramifications- A great obsession
3. Topic analysis
4. Do not enjoy the moment or nature
5. Too occupied posting it on social media
6. Take risks to click them
7. Perform dangerous stunts

Conclusion

1. Need to create awareness about the drawbacks
2. Teach responsible use of technology
3. Suggest positive use of this technology

(Due credit for creative answers backed by logical argument to be given.)

OR
REPORT WRITING: 10 Marks

Format: 1 mark
Headline and Reporter’s Name
Content: 4 marks
Expression: 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 2½
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 2½

Word Limit: 150- 200 words

Suggested value points:

How the fire started
How the fire spread
Reaction of the crowd
Number of people injured/got burnt
Action taken-rescue operations-when and how
Total estimated loss
Possible cause of fire
Compensation announced

(Any other relevant suggestion and idea to be given due credit)

6. SPEECH: 10 Marks

Development Projects: Impact on Environment

Format (opening address and conclusion): 1 mark
Content: 4 marks
Expression: 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [2½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [2½]

Word Limit: 150- 200 words

Suggested value points:

Introduction:

1. Present status and analysis of the current situation
2. Progress important
3. Development essential to cater to human needs
4. Seems destruction/imbalance will occur

Solution:

1. Try sustainable methods
2. Progress should be with social responsibility
3. Long term development should promote replenishing measures

(Due credit to be given for creative responses.)

OR
DEBATE: 10 Marks

Format: 1 mark
Topic introduction, addressing the audience, mention for /against the motion , ‘Thank you’ at the end
Content: 4 marks
Total agreement or disagreement – relevant information addressing the issue, current situation, reasons – in favour or against, possible suggestions

Expression: 5 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spelling 2½
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 2½

Word Limit: 150- 200 words

Suggested value points:

‘FOR’ the Motion:

1. Aggression is important
2. Creates killing instinct
3. Sharpens the desire to win
4. Desired attitude in sports in present times
5. Many famous sports personalities rely on it

‘AGAINST’ the Motion:

1. Outcome should be based on better game than aggression
2. Loses the fun element
3. Compromises sportsman spirit
4. Has become a business- winning at all costs makes you should ethics

(Appropriate conclusion is desirable. Due credit to be given for creative responses.)

SECTION: C (LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS) 30 Marks

7. (This question has been designed to test the students’ understanding of the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the questions based on the given stanza. In other words, it attempts to test their reading comprehension ONLY.) 1×8=8 Marks

Value points:

(A) An extract from poetry section: 1×4=4

1. To make a living out of the city money.
2. The cars and other vehicles speeding towards city
3. Because their expectations are never fulfilled as the rich men are not considerate about them/ because their very purpose is destroyed as city money does not flow into their hands
4. Personification

(B) An extract from prose section: 1×4=4

1. William Douglas, Water at the lake
2. Because it was trying to frighten William Douglas.
3. Because he was confident of defeating terror.
4. Because William was no more frightened of water.

8. Short answer type questions (Answer any Five) – Questions are to be answered in 30-40 words. 2×5=10

Distribution of marks:

Content: 1 mark
Expression: 1 Mark (deduct ½ mark for two or more grammatical/spelling mistakes)

Value points:

(a) M. Hamel blames:

1. people of Alsace for postponing learning.
2. parents who preferred to send their children to work in fields and mills instead of sending them to school.
3. himself for not fulfilling his duty as a teacher sincerely – by sending the children to water the plants in the garden & declaring a holiday whenever he wanted to go for fish

(b) The bangle makers are caught in a vicious web because they:

1. are compelled by family and traditions to follow the same lineage as their forefathers that too at an early age.
2. are exploited at the hands of the Sahukars, middlemen, policemen, law makers, bureaucrats and politicians
3. toil day and night, but are not paid appropriate wages
4. cannot form cooperatives for their betterment.
5. cannot dare to dream. (Any four points)

(c) The peddler had written that:

1. since Edla had treated him like a captain, he wanted to be nice to her in return.
2. did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas by a thief.
3. had requested her to return back the crofter’s money that he had stolen
4. the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap, if he had not been raised to the status of captain, which motivated him to reform himself.

(d) Aunt is weak, meek, submissive and is scared of expressing her feelings openly. The aunt is bonded in matrimony and faces several restrictions.

The tigers are strong, fearless and confident. They are bold creatures and are scared of no one. On the other hand, the tigers move about freely.

(e) In the beginning, when Charley reached the third level, he was confused.

1. Later on he noticed that ‘the World’ a popular newspaper which had stopped its publication before 1994 was still available.
2. He saw that day’s edition of ‘the World’. It was dated, June 11, 1894.
3. The lead story said something about President Cleveland
4. This confirmed that he was back in 1894.

(f) The woodland creatures found Roger Skunk’s new smell quite pleasant. They played many games with him and gathered around him – Roger Skunk was very happy to be accepted by the other animals.

(g) Two things that happened on the seventh day.

1. The cook, the gardener and Yumi packed up their belongings and left together. But Hana put up a brave front.

2. The second thing that happened was the arrival of a messenger to tell Sadao that he had been called to the palace as the general was in pain again.

9. (These questions have been set to test the students’ understanding of the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein. Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the student should be able to justify his or her viewpoint.) 6 Marks

Distribution of marks:

Content: 3 marks
Expression: 3 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings 1½
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style 1½

Value points:

1. Gandhiji stayed at Muzaffarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded that fighting through courts was not going to solve the problem of the poor sharecroppers of Champaran.
2. He declared that the real relief for them was to be free from fear. With this intention, he arrived in Champaran and contacted the Secretary of the British Landlord’s association. The Secretary refused to provide him any information.
3. After this, Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut division who served a notice on him to immediately leave Tirhut. Gandhiji accepted the notice by signing it and wrote on it that he would not obey the order.
4. He was even willing to court arrest for the cause of the peasants.
5. After four rounds of talks with the Governor, an official commission of inquiry was appointed in which Gandhiji was made the sole representative of the peasants.
6. Through this commission Gandhiji succeeded in getting 25% of the compensation award for the poor sharecroppers from the British landowners.
7. The peasants realised that they had rights and defenders. They learnt courage.

OR
1. Exposes Robert Clive’s ambitions and his restless nature.
2. Office boy’s boasting and bragging about his talent is brought out.
3. Legal adviser is known as the opposite.
4. Use of pancake –ostensibly to cover the pores.
5. Team of makeup artists is referred to as ‘gang of nationally integrated make up men’ who could turn any decent looking person into a hideous crimson hued monster.
6. Strict hierarchy.
7. Commenting on Subbu’s exposure to affluent situations. He ridicules his virtue- the virtue of being a Brahmin. His inefficiency is pointed out subtly with a comment ‘ he always had work for everyone. The rapidity with which Subbu offered his Boss alternatives when he got stuck up is very amusing.
8. Pokes fun at the ignorance of all the people .People did not know who was Stephen Spenders and why had he arrived.

10. (These questions have been set to test the students’ understanding of the text and their ability to interpret, evaluate and respond to the issues raised therein. Hence no particular answer can be accepted as the only correct answer. All presentations may be accepted as equally correct provided they have been duly supported by the facts drawn from the text. The important thing is that the student should be able to justify his or her viewpoint.) 6 Marks

Distribution of marks:

Content: 3 marks
Expression: 3 marks
Grammatical accuracy, appropriate words and spellings [1½]
Coherence and relevance of ideas and style [1½]

Value points:

Both Mr. Lamb and Derry suffer from problems. Mr. Lamb had a tinned leg whereas Derry had a burnt face. But both of them differ in their attitude towards handling their problems.

Mr. Lamb

1. Very positive in his outlook. Sees the beauty in everything, including weeds.
2. Doesn’t let physical handicap prevent him from living life to the fullest.
3. Very friendly, opened his doors to the world.
4. Sees that the world and people are important.
5. Strong- doesn’t let people’s negative comments hurt him.
6. Practical; knows one’s life is in one’s own hands.
7. Shows understanding of Derry’s problems.

Derry

1. Scared of meeting people as he hates seeing their fear of him and facing their rejection.
2. Very sensitive—people’s comments hurt him deeply.
3. Upset with parents’ over protectiveness and mother’s revulsion with his face.
4. Defiant, rude as he is too scared to talk to people.
5. Negative about everything – sees everything in a bad light.
6. Indulges in self-pity over his face.
7. Hates sympathy.
8. Hates the world and keeps away from it.
9. Inner deep desire to be accepted which he hides under an abrasive exterior.
10. Changes at the end after listening to Mr. Lamb. Ready to face the world and overcome obstacles to do so. Finds courage and strength to get what he wants.

OR
1. Despite knowing the fact that Evans was always breaking out of jail, the prison authorities still made many mistakes. The following were the mistakes committed by them:
2. The validity of the German tutor not checked.
3. Evans allowed to sit for an exam knowing he wasn’t academically inclined and not checking whether he had learnt any German at all.
4. Letting Evans see the name of the invigilator on the form.
5. Not taking more precautions in verifying the invigilator’s identity despite knowing Evans knew his name.
6. Letting Evans wear the cap for good luck.
7. Allowing McLeery to take the rubber tube inside.
8. Not going into the cell despite seeing that Evans was just sitting there not writing at all.
9. Not verifying the Governor’s phone call.
10. Despite seeing that McLeery looked slimmer while going out, not checking him.
11. Appointing Stephens, a new guard, to guard Evans.
12. Allowing Stephens to move out of the cell when Evans protested.
13. Letting Evans know that the cell was bugged.
14. Letting the Examination Board phone call go through without verifying its authenticity.
15. Letting Evans put on a blanket over his shoulders.
16. Believing Evans had left the correction paper behind by mistake and believing the information in it.
17. Calling for the police, not the ambulance.
18. Letting Evans escape a second time in a van without verifying the guards.
19. Everyone just accepting Stephens’ belief that the man in the cell was McLeery as he was bleeding and did not check his wounds.
20. Getting fooled by Evans pretending to be McLeery although everyone knew Evans was a good mimic.

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