Table of Contents
English is a compulsory subject in class 12 that is common across all the streams of the class 12 board exam. So, this subject has the greatest significance for all the students who are going to take the board exam in class 12. This is why, it becomes even more important to score good marks in this exam paper. To help students in scoring better marks in the English Class 12 board exam, we are providing students with the previous year question paper of english class 12 cbse with solution pdf.
Along with the previous year question papers, we have also provided the solutions for the same. It will help students understand the art of writing the perfect answers for their English board exam. As English is a theory subject, it becomes even more important to practice answer writing based on the latest marking scheme.
Class 12 English Previous Year Question Paper
The students must solve CBSE Class 12 English Previous Year Question Papers given on this page to fetch extra marks in their final examination. Central Board of Secondary Education do repeat questions every year, in this case, the students solving CBSE Class 12 English Previous Year Question Papers will have the upper hand over those who are not solving CBSE Class 12 English Previous Year Question Papers.
We have given CBSE Class 12 English Previous Year Question Papers with solutions on this page. Our English language solutions are renowned for easing all of your concerns regarding the subject. If you are a student who is interested in doing particularly well on your Class 12 exams, you will have to work really hard and be very dedicated. Bookmark this page to get all the latest updates from CBSE.
Previous Year Question Paper Class 12 English with Solution
The previous year’s question paper of the English subject, i.e., the Class 12 English question paper 2023 is given below for the practice of students. Along with the questions, we have also provided the standard answers of each questions asked in the 2023 board exam of the English paper. Students must go through the entire question paper and its solutions to have a better chance of scoring excellent marks in the upcoming English Board exam 2024.
CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2023 with Solutions
English Class 12 Previous Year Question Paper – 2020
SECTION – A
(ADVANCED WRITING SKILLS)
Question 1.
You are Dhruv/Deepa. Your father, Shri Dheeraj Garg of Gurugram wants you to draft an invitation to be sent to friends and relatives on the occasion of your elder sister’s marriage. Prepare the invitation giving necessary details in not more than 50 words. [4]
OR
Water is precious and each one of us must stop its wastage to avoid its scarcity in the near future. Prepare a poster requesting people of your colony to adopt means to save water, prevent its wastage, etc. You are Rama/Rohan of Ashima Vihar, Saket, Ahmedabad. (50 words)
Answer:
OR
Question 2.
Kerala was badly hit by floods due to heavy rains. Even today the victims are suffering financially, physically and mentally. Write a letter in 120 – 150 words to the Editor. ‘The Times of Kerala’ giving details of the loss of life and property. Also, make an appeal to the people and the Government to provide help and relief to the afflicted. You are Varun/ Vandana, 31 Shastri Nagar, Trichi. [6]
OR
You are Shobha/Sushil from 56, A BIOCK, Saket, Agra. Write an application along with a personal resume in 120-150 words in response to the following advertisement.
Wanted an experienced hockey coach having B.P.Ed Degree for our school. Apply to the Principal, Agarsen Public School, Agra by 15th March, 2019.
Answer:
31 Shastri Nagar,
Trichi
3rd March 20XX
The Editor
The Times of Kerala
Thiruvandapuram
Subject: Relief for survivors of floods in Kerala
Sir/Madam,
Through the columns of your esteemed and widely read newspaper, I would like to highlight the present conditions of the people affected by the floods that devastated Kerala last year.
The floods that caused a lot of death and destruction in ‘God’s own land, has left behind a trail of victims a year after it wreaked havoc in the state. These survivors of the flood are still struggling to deal with the consequences on their own. They are dealing with the physical damage as well as the mental and emotional trauma that comes with having survived the event without those that are dear to them. These people have lost their livelihood and some have even lost mobility and structure.
I request you to highlight their plight in the newspaper. They are in need of the basic necessities and more. Any help offered by the government and the people reading this, would make a world of change in their lives.
Yours respectfully,
Varun/Vandana
OR
56, A Block, Saket Agra
10th March 20XX
The Principal
Agarsen Public School
Agra
Subject : Application for the post of hockey coach.
Sir/Madam,
In response to your advertisement in the Indian Express dated 5th March, 20XX for the position of hockey coach, I hereby offer my candidature for the same. I believe that my experience and background fit your requirements for the position.
I have had the pleasure to be the hockey coach at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi for the last five years and the pleasure of assisting the esteemed coach Pramod Srivastav at Tripti High School for four years as well. I have two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Physical education and another in Education. Coaching students has been my passion and I am sure that I can work well with the team. Both the teams I have worked with previously have been able to play in multiple competitions statewide. I have received positive feedback from the students, the parents and the school.
You may call me for an interview on any date as per your convenience. I shall be able to join my duties at one month’s notice if appointed. As requested, I have enclosed my resume with this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Shobha /Sushil
Encl.: Resume
RESUME
Question 3.
You are concerned about the cleanliness of parks, roads and even your school premises. In spite of various measures taken by local and school administration, lack of cleanliness is still a problem. You are Namita/Keshav. Prepare a speech in 150-200 words to be delivered in the morning assembly of your school on the topic, ‘Cleanliness is the Responsibility of All/ [10]
OR
Write a debate in 150 – 200 words either for or against the motion:
‘Stray dogs should not be put to sleep’.
Answer:
CLEANLINESS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL
Honorable Principal, teachers and all my dear friends, Good Morning to all!
I am Keshav/Namita of class XII C. It’s a great honour for me to stand before everyone and deliver a speech on the importance of cleanliness. Today, I would like to address the idea of cleanliness in our locality. Specifically, I would like to talk about cleanliness in public spaces such as parks and roads as well as other spaces that host large groups of people simultaneously such as our school.
Local authorities have taken various measures to combat this issue of keeping an area clean by fining people for littering in public spaces and banning defecation in open spaces. The school also has rules regarding cleanliness and certain punishments for littering. However, I feel that these don’t seem as useful because the job of cleaning up has been left to the custodians, both in school and in these public spaces. It is a state of sorry to see people twice our age cleaning up after the future citizens of a country. It is important for us, as students to start realizing that cleanliness of a space is not a job that we should be pushing onto other people, but something we should be doing as a personal responsibility as good citizens.
It is important that each of us as citizens do our part in maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings. It can be as simple as picking up any piece of paper we drop or making sure that the things we are throwing away are inside the wastebaskets. These small steps can have a large impact, so to all of us, I say it is time for us to stop thinking of the idea of cleanliness and start doing what we can to make a clean and healthy environment a reality. Thank you.
OR
STRAY DOGS SHOULD NOT BE PUT TO SLEEP
Honourable judges, teachers and my worthy opponents. A very good morning to all of you gathered here. Today, I am glad to have the opportunity to speak for the topic “Stray Dogs Should Not Be Put To Sleep”. This topic is one that can be emotional to many. I shall be focusing on both the emotional and factual aspects of this topic.
The saying “a dog is man’s best friend” has been around for centuries. For years, we have taken care of them and they have been nothing but loyal to us. They don’t demand much from us except for love and attention. The stray dogs that roam in the streets should be seen from another point of view they are as the dogs that have not had the love and care that animals need to survive. Their aggressiveness comes from a place of fear for those who have hurt them, thrown stones at them and yelled at them multiple times. Had people seen these vulnerable creatures and shown them affection and care, then they would not need to be treated in such a harsh manner. Studies have shown that most stray dogs have lesser health problems and are friendlier when given love and attention. Maintaining these breeds who are well-adjusted to the Indian climate is less costly than getting a costly breed. I believe that the issue of having strays on the roads could have been tackled with a little love and care. They wouldn’t have been strays in the first place if we were more accommodating to this breed. So, extermination is not the right solution. Instead, we should spread awareness about these beautiful God’s creation and encourage people to adopt them.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that putting down animals that have never had the opportunity to be loved as they should have because of decisions made by humans, is a selfish act.
Question 4.
Abundance of advertisements in newspapers, magazines and even on television is a wastage of both time and money of readers and viewers. You are Shobha/Sameer. Write an article in 150 – 200 words on the topic, ‘Excessive Use of Advertisements in Media’. [10]
OR
An NGO, ‘Health for All’ organised a health check-up camp in a slum at Amritsar. You are Ruchika/Raunak, and you visited the camp. Write a report in 150-200 words covering arrangements such as registration, check-up, tests carried out, etc.
Answer:
EXCESSIVE USE OF ADVERTISEMENTS IN MEDIA
By Shobha/Sameer, XIIA
Mark Twain once said, “Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising”. Today’s media platforms contain more ads than the content itself and this applies to all form of media that we choose to entertain ourselves with. To the media, advertising is more profitable than the content they provide.
Televisions today show more advertisements than the actual content and newspapers contain more ads per page than it does the actual information. Magazines are even more confusing, often giving articles that serve no purpose other than to convince the reader to buy the product advertised on the next page. These advertisements waste the money of those who have subscribed to the product or service for the sake of information. Furthermore, it is statistically shown that the advertisements make people believe that they are missing out on trends leading to excessive consumerism and materialism.
Taking everything into account, it is important to note that reducing the amount of advertising present in the media might have a positive impact. Perhaps, the space allotted to advertisements can be kept as a percentage of information and content presented in order to ensure that the content takes precedence over the advertisements.
OR
HEALTH CHECK UP CAMP IN A SLUM
By Ruchika/Raunak
Amritsar, March 20XX : A health camp was organised in a slum in Amritsar by the NGO ‘Health for All.’ The camp was set up in such a way that each person who opted to get the health checkup first had to register at the counter by giving his name and age. Once the check-up was completed, the people were requested to submit the forms at the registration desk.
Upon registration, the people were required to visit a general physician, a dentist, and an optometrist. Once the available doctors had examined them, the participants were required to get a blood test done. For most people tested, it was a basic work-up of their non-fasting blood sugar and other related tests. However, for those who suffered from other diseases, the doctors made a note of it in the form given to them, requesting specific tests be done to understand the severity of the condition. Financing for additional tests were also covered by the medical laboratories associated with the NGO.
The results of these tests shall be available to the NGO in a few weeks’ time and then the doctors and volunteers will return to the slum to treat or advice as necessary to the participants that require it. It was refreshing to see a huge tum-up for this eye-opening event.
SECTION – B
(READING)
Question 5.
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [20]
1. The sage of science, Einstein, was sitting in a depressive and pensive mood one evening. His eyes were brimming with tears. The pain was evident on his face. He peeped out of the window of his room. The sun had set a few minutes back. The sky was filled with a reddish glow. At this sunset, he felt that it was humanity that had sunk into devilish darkness and the reddish glow in the sky was the blood of humanity spilling all over the sky from earth. With tired steps, he walked back to his chair and settled down. It was the 9th of August 1945. Three days back, he had felt the same agony as if someone had tom him apart. He was deeply hurt and depressed when he heard on the radio that America had dropped an atom bomb on the Japanese city, Hiroshima. Today, within three days another bomb was dropped on another city, Nagasaki and lakhs of people had been killed.
2. He had heard that the blast released so much energy that it had paled all past destructions in comparison and death had played out a pitiable dance of destruction. The flames that broke out of the bomb were burning, melting and exploding buildings. Scared of the heat of the bomb, people had jumped into lakes and rivers, but the water was boiling and the people too were burnt and killed. The animals in the water were already boiled to death. Animals, trees, herbs, fragrant flowering plants were all turned into ashes. The atomic energy destruction had just not stopped there. It had entered the atmosphere there and had spread radiation that would affect people for generations to come and would also bring about destructive irreversible biological change in animals and plants.
3. As the news of the atomic attack reached Einstein, and he became aware of the glaring horror of the abuse of atomic energy, his distress and restlessness knew no bounds. He could not control himself and picked up his violin to turn his mind on to other things. While playing the violin, he tried to dissolve his distress in its sad notes, but couldn’t. He was burning on the embers of destruction; his heart was filled with an ocean of agony and tears just continued streaming uncontrollably out of his eyes. Night had fallen. His daughter came up and asked him to eat something as he had not taken anything for the last four days. His voice was restrained and he said, “I don’t feel like eating.”
4. He could not sleep that night. Lying down, he was thinking how he had drawn the attention of the then American President Roosevelt towards the destructive powers of an atomic bomb. He had thought that this would be used to scare Hitler and put an end to the barbarism that Hitler was up to. However, Roosevelt kept him in the dark and made false promises. Eventually, he had abused Einstein’s equation of E = mc2 that resulted in the destructive experiments. His actions had made science and scientists as murderers. Einstein kept on thinking for a long time. Eventually, he slipped into sleep. When he woke up at dawn, there was a new dawn in him too. The atomic threat had transformed his heart.
5. The next day, he decided to disassociate himself from the scientific policy of the government and all governmental institutions. He decided to open educational institutions for children, adolescents and youth—institutions where along with science, spirituality will be compulsorily taught.
6. To inaugurate this institution, he had invited two great philosophers, Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer. Ten other great scientists who had own Nobel Prizes in different fields were also invited. They all saw a different Einstein, not a great scientist but a sage in him. The institution was opened by garlanding a photo of Mahatma Gandhi. While garlanding the Mahatma, he became emotional and said with a lump in his throat, “I bow down to the great man who fought for the independence of his country through non-violence. He could do so because he was a truthful man and true spiritualist.”
7. Those who teach science should be taught, spirituality too. Without harmony between science and spirituality, the destruction would continue unabated. A few years after this institution was built, a Japanese delegation came to meet him. Einstein broke down in the meeting and said. “You can give me any punishment and I will accept it. Anyway, I have decided to lead my life in penitence.” The Japanese were moved by this sincerity and forgot their grief.
Question 1.1.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option : [1 × 5 = 5]
(a) Besides two great philosophers how many other scientists were invited by Einstein to inaugurate the institution where spirituality would be compulsorily taught?
(i) Five
(ii) Ten
(iii) Eight
(iv) Fifteen
Answer:
(ii) Ten
(b) Which musical instrument did Einstein play when he was in grief?
(i) Harmonium
(ii) Guitar
(iii) Violin
(iv) Flute
Answer:
(iii) Violin
(c) Einstein came to know that America had dropped an atom bomb on the Japanese city, Hiroshima through
(i) television
(ii) newspaper
(iii) radio
(iv) a telephonic message
Answer:
(iii) Radio
(d) Which American President was told about the destructive power of an atomic bomb?
(i) Kennedy
(ii) Bill Clinton
(iii) Lincoln
(iv) Roosevelt
Answer:
(iv) Roosevelt.
(e) Einstein said to the Japanese delegation,
(i) “You can give me any punishment and I will accept it.”
(ii) “I am not at fault.”
(iii) “What could I do?”
(iv) “The President didn’t agree to my advice.”
Answer:
(i) “You can give me any punishment and I will accept it.”
Question 1.2.
Answer the following questions briefly: [1 × 6 = 6]
(a) What did Einstein do to overcome his distress after getting the news of the atomic attack?
(b) Which event in 1945, according to Einstein, turned science and scientists into murderers?
(c) What did Einstein do to show his displeasure over the atomic attack?
(d) Whose photo was garlanded at the inauguration of Einstein’s institute for children, adolescents and youth?
(e) Name the philosophers that Einstein invited to inaugurate the new institution.
(f) Why did Einstein want harmony between science and spirituality while teaching in educational institutes?
Answer:
(a) Einstein was extremely distressed after getting the news of the atomic attack. To distract his mind from this serious news, he picked up his violin and began playing sad notes on it. He did not even eat for four days.
(b) In 1945, America had dropped atom bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombs made to scare Hitler and put an end to barbarism had been misused to kill many innocent lives. This event according to Einstein, turned science and scientists into murders.
(c) To show his displeasure over the atomic attack, Einstein decided to disassociate himself from the scientific policy of the government and all its institutions. He decided to open educational institutions where science and spirituality would be compulsorily taught to children, adolescents and youth.
(d) The photo of Mahatma Gandhi was garlanded at the inauguration of Einstein’s institute for children, adolescents and youth.
(e) Two great philosophers, Bertrand Russell and Albert Schweitzer were invited by Einstein to inaugurate the new institution.
(f) Einstein’s fear of destruction due to the atomic bomb attacks transformed his thinking. He felt the need for bonding between science and spirituality to bring about harmony. This could bring a decrease in destruction of life and peace would prevail in the world.
Question 1.3.
Answer any three of the following questions in 25-30 word each: [2 × 3 = 6]
(a) What did Einstein feel while looking at the sunset from his room’s window?
(b) Give a brief description of the disaster when the atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city, Nagasaki.
(c) What did Einstein think of Mahatma Gandhi?
(d) What was Einstein’s reaction when the Japanese delegation met him?
Answer:
(a) Einstein with tears brimming from his eyes and pain evident in his face, peeped out of the window of his room. Looking at the sunset, he felt the sinking of humanity into a devilish darkness and the reddish glow in the sky felt like human blood spilling all over the sky from the earth. He was tom apart.
(b) The explosion at Nagasaki caused death, burning, melting and exploding of buildings. The water in the lakes and rivers was boiled hot leading humans as well as aquatic animals to death. All living and non-living things were turned into ashes.
(c) Einstein thought of Mahatma Gandhi as a great man who used non-violence as his tool while fighting for his country’s independence. Einstein referred to the Mahatma as a truthful and spiritualist man.
(d) Einstein, on meeting the Japanese delegation, broke down and announced that he was ready for any punishment given to him. He also spoke of his decision to lead the rest of his life in penitence.
Question 1.4.
Find words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to each of the following : [1 × 3 = 3]
(a) mental pain (para 1)
(b) agreement (para 7)
(c) regret/remorse (para 7)
Answer:
(a) agony
(b) harmony
(c) penitence
Question 6.
Read the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow: [10]
1. To live in harmony with oneself and the environment is the wish of every human. However, in modem times greater physical and emotional demands are constantly placed upon many areas of life. More and more people suffer from physical and mental tension such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, and there is an imbalance in physical activity and proper exercise. This is why methods and techniques for the attainment and improvement of health, as well as physical, mental and spiritual harmony, are of great importance, and Yoga meets this requirement.
2. The word “Yoga” originates from Sanskrit and means “to join, to unite”. Yoga exercises have a holistic effect and bring body, mind, consciousness and soul into a balance. In this way Yoga assists us in coping with everyday demands, problems and worries. Yoga helps to develop a greater understanding of our self, the purpose of life and our relationship with God.
3. On the spiritual path, Yoga leads us to supreme knowledge and eternal bliss in the union of the individual Self with the universal Self. Yoga is that supreme, cosmic principle. It is the light of life, the universal creative consciousness that is always awake and never sleeps, that always was, always is, always will be.
4. Many thousands of years ago in India, Rishis (wise men and saints) explored nature and the eosmos in their meditations. They discovered the laws of the material and spiritual realms and gained an insight into the connection within the universe. They investigated the cosmic laws, the laws of nature and the elements, life on earth and the powers and energies at work in the universe—both in the external world and on a spiritual level. The unity of matter and energy, the origin of the universe and the effects of the elementary powers have been described and explained in the Vedas. Much of this knowledge has been rediscovered and confirmed by modem science.
5. From these experiences and insight a far-reaching and comprehensive system known as Yoga originated and gave us valuable, practical instructions for the body, breathing, concentration, relaxation and meditation. The system “Yoga in Daily Life” is taught worldwide in Yoga Centres, Adult Education Centres, Health Institutions, Fitness and Sports Clubs, Rehabilitation Centres and Health Resorts. It is suitable for all age groups—the name itself indicates that Yoga can be and should be used “in Daily Life”.
6. The exercise levels have been worked out in consultation with doctors and physiotherapists and can therefore — with observation of the stated rules and precautions—be practiced independently at home by anyone. “Yoga in Daily Life” is a holistic system, which means it takes into consideration not only the physical, but also the mental and spiritual aspects. Positive thinking, perseverance, discipline, orientation towards the Supreme, prayer as well as kindness and understanding form the way to Self-Knowledge and Self-Realisation.
Question 6.1.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary — minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it. [5]
Question 6.2.
Write a summary of the above passage in about 100 words. [5]
Answer:
TITLE : YOGA IN DAILY LIFE
1. Need for Yoga
(i) Decreases mental and physical stress in daily life
(ii) Attnt. and improv. of physical and mental health and spiritual harmony
2. Benefits of Yoga
(i) Bal. of body, mind, consciousness and soul
(ii) Cope with daily probs.
(iii) Supreme knwldg. of union of indvl. self and univ. self
3. Practice of Yoga
(i) Practical instructions for – body, breathing, concentration, relaxation, meditation
(ii) Taught worldwide in Yoga Centres, Health Institutions, Rehabilitation Centres etc.
4. Yoga in daily life
(i) Use of yoga daily for positivity in life
(ii) Holistic system, considers physical, mental and spiritual aspects
SUMMARY
Today, people face greater physical and mental problems in their daily lives. These problems are related to lack of physical, mental and spiritual harmony. Yoga helps bridge this gap. “Yoga” originated from a Sanskrit word that means “to join” or “to unite”. Yoga exercises balance of body, mind, consciousness and soul. This in a way, helps us to tackle various problems that afflict us in our day-to-day life. The practice of Yoga has been prevalent since ancient times as prescribed in the Vedas. “Yoga in daily life” provides practical instructions for the body, breathing, concentration, relaxation and meditation. Yoga paves the way from self-knowledge to self-realization.
SECTION-C
(LITERATURE : TEXTBOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT)
Question 7.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : [1 × 4=4]
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
(a) Name the poem and its poet. [1]
(b) What does the Earth teach us? [1]
(c) What does the poet want to achieve by counting up to twelve? [1]
(d) Give an example of what now seems to be dead but later on becomes alive. [1]
OR
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
(a) Name the poem and its poet. [1]
(b) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever? [1]
(c) Explain : ‘never pass into nothingness’. [1]
(d) How does the bower help us in our life? Give two examples. [1]
Answer :
(a) The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’ and the poet is Pablo Neruda.
(b) The earth teaches us to be patient, productive and to live in tranquility.
(c) The poet wants to enlighten us on the importance of patience and meditation by counting up to twelve. By remaining still and through reasoning, we can achieve to be positive and overthrow the negativity within us.
(d) A seed when falls into the earth and dies, grows into a plant which bears fruit, gives shade when it grows into a tree, and helps the environment.
OR
(a) The poem is ‘A Thing of Beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.
(b) A thing of beauty is eternal as it revives our memories and leaves a positive influence on our minds. As time passes by, its beauty only increases with time. This only helps in providing everlasting joy to the eye of the beholder.
(c) Joy that lasts in beauty is everlasting, its importance never diminishes but grows with time.
(d) Bower is a peaceful dwelling place that helps us is our life. Under the shade of the tree, it provides us protection from the sun and rain. It is also a safe and quiet place for rest and meditation.
Question 8.
Answer any four of the following question in 30 – 40 words each : [3 × 4 = 12]
(a) ‘Garbage to them is gold.’ Why does the author say so about the ragpickers of Seemapuri?
(b) Which two incidents in Douglas’ early life made him scared of water ?
(c) Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler?
(d) “It ate my face up. It ate me up.” Who said these words? Why?
(e) Why did Evans not take off his hat when Jackson ordered him to do so?
(f) Why did Zitkala-Sa resist the shingling of her hair?
Answer:
(a) Rag picking is a means of survival to the ragpickers of Seemapuri. They sell all that they pick from the heap of garbage in exchange for money to meet their needs. At times, they even find currency notes and coins in it. To these ragpickers, garbage is equivalent to treasures of gold.
(b) At the age of three or four, Douglas was knocked down by strong waves of the Yakima river. As a result, Douglas was almost buried Under water, and got breathless. Later, at the age of ten or eleven, he was tossed in the YMCA pool by a senior where he ended up swallowing water. These two incidents played a powerful role in developing Douglas’ aversion to water.
(c) The crofter was a lonely old man living all alone with no family. He craved for a human company. Therefore, when the peddler requested the old man for shelter, the old man, in his generosity and need for someone to talk, welcomed the peddler for supper.
(d) Derry showing his inferiority complex, says these words since he is often singled out by people as an ugly poor boy due to his acid- burnt face. As a result of his injury and the behavior of the people in his community, he looks down upon him self as an outcast.
(e) Evans had long wavy hair and covered it with a hat as after the exam he was going to impersonate Mcleery and escape from the prison. Mcleery had short hair so Evans had cropped up his hair and did it under the hat. He confided in Jackson that the hat was the only lucky charm that had brought him luck in his life and so refused to take off his hat.
(f) Zitkala-Sa had learned from her mother that hair shingling was done only to unskilled captured warriors by the enemy. In her family, short hair was considered to be a sign of mourning and cowardice.
Question 9.
Answer any one of the following questions in 120 -150 words : [6]
(a) Everybody during the last lesson was filled with regret. Comment.
(b) Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence?
(c) It is not unusual for a lower middle class girl to dream big. How unrealistic were Sophie’s dreams?
Answer:
(a) The story, “The Last Lesson” is set during the Franco-Prussian War when the French districts of Alsace and Lorraine passed into the hands of Prussia. The Prussian government then made the declaration that only German was to be taught in the schools in Alsace and Lorraine. This order affected the local public badly and each one of them was repenting for wasting time and not learning French. Each person in the class was filled with regret. The French language teacher, M. Hamel felt guilty for sending his students to complete his personal tasks. The parents of the students never bothered to send their children to class but instead preferred that the children work on the farm or at mills. Even the older people in the room like old Hauser, the former mayor, the former postman and other elders of the village showed regret on neither learning French themselves nor encouraging their children to learn the language.
(b) India was under the suzerainty of the British power for more than a hundred years before the incident at Champaran. The people of India were tired of the unjust rules and policies of the British. The landlords at Champaran were forced to grow indigo in 15% of the available land and then surrender the entire harvest as rent. When the peasants learned about the development of synthetic indigo, they demanded for their money. Gandhiji managed to get the amount back and provided courage to the peasants. The incident at Champaran was an attempt to alleviate the distress of large numbers of poor people. At Champaran, Gandhiji received the support of thousands of people. The peasants became aware of their rights, grew more courageous and began to contribute to the movement. Gandhiji successfully implemented the method of non-violence and non-cooperation. Therefore, it can be said that the Champaran episode is the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence.
(c) Sophie the protagonist of the story “Going Places” comes from a lower middle-class background and like most girls, she tends to have escapist tendencies. Her background limits her aims and ambitions. Comparatively, her best friend Jansie and her family try to limit her from day dreaming. Sophie dreams of things that she cannot have like buying a boutique. When questioned about how she would go about achieving this dream, she mentions that she would do that through a manager job like Mary Quant or by being an actress, or a fashion designer. She constantly dreams of upgrading her life despite the unrealistic demands of her dreams. The sad reality is that these unrealistic dreams simply distract a person from their goals. It makes a person crave for excuses and separates them from the realities of the world. Sophie’s dreams and ambitions coupled with her crush on Daney Casey are so unrealistic that they separate her from the realities of her world.
Question 10.
Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words: [6]
(a) Describe the efforts made by the Tiger King to achieve his target of killing a hundred tigers.
(b) Explain the reaction of Dr. Sadao’s servants when he decided to give shelter to an enemy in the house.
(c) Describe Jack’s art of storytelling.
Answer:
(a) The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram was known as the Tiger King. At the time of his birth, the astrologers had declared that the prince would die one day. At that prophecy, the ten-day-old prince asked the astrologers to reveal the manner of his death. The wise men, though baffled by this miracle, declared that the prince’s death would come from a tiger. When the Prince came of age, he took matters in his own hands and killed a tiger. On sharing these details with the astrologer, he stated that it did not mean that the King was safe. As a matter of fact, he must be careful about the hundredth tiger. Thereafter, the King decided to kill a hundred tigers. He, thus, got the name ‘Tiger King’. In his initial years as a king, he killed around seventy tigers. He also killed around twenty-nine tigers in the forest belonging to his father-in-law. Somehow a hundredth tiger was arranged for him to kill but the tiger did not die when it was shot. Later, the soldiers killed the tiger and with this, the King achieved his dream of killing a hundred tigers.
(b) Dr Sadao Hoki resided along the coast in Japan with his wife Hana. During the war, he was not sent along with the other troupes because the General was under his treatment and needed Dr Sadao’s services. On one occasion, Dr Sadao saw an injured young American soldier in need of his help. He brought the soldier home and began treating him. The servants were frightened and puzzled. As a matter of fact, the old gardener declared that Dr Sadao ought not to heal the wound of that white man because he should have been dead also as he was their enemy. He also believed that the soldier was first shot and then the sea caught him and wounded him with her rocks. If Dr Sadao healed what the shot and the sea had done, then Dr Sadao and the servants would have to suffer. They were also skeptical because the man was their enemy and if the news of the man at the house spread, then their lives would be in danger. The servants finally chose to leave the house altogether.
(c) Storytelling is a ritual for Jack and his four-year-old daughter Jo. He aims to express his wisdom, art and creativity infused with cunningness through his stories. Jack begins his story telling sessions in the evenings and before Saturday naps. The originality of these stories are that they all revolve around a tiny creature called Roger. His stories more or less follow one pattern with minor variations depending on the theme for the day. Each story begins and describes a Roger who may be a squirrel, a fish or a chipmunk. The stories also have a wise owl and a magic wand wielding wizard. Each story is a lesson in morals. Jack successfully manages to capture the attention of his daughter because he understands her span of attention while using his creativity to create the desired effect. He can imitate different voices and uses this positive attribute to communicate his ideas in an enthusiastic manner. Each of these stories are his own invention and he uses this talent along with his other talent of adopting the right facial expressions to capture his daughter’s interest and provide life lessons along the way.
Question 11.
Answer any one of the following questions in 120-150 words : ** [6]
(a) Describe the burglary that took place at Mr. Bunting’s house. (The Invisible Man)
(b) How did Griffin move about in the village of lping?
(c) Why does Silas return to Lantern Yard after having lived and prospered at Raveloe? How does his visit prove useful to him?
(d) How was Silas transformed completely with the arrival of a child?
Question 12.
Answer any one of the following questions in 120 -150 words : ** [6]
(a) Describe Nancy Lammeter’s personality and approach to life. (Silas Marner)
(b) Writer a character sketch of Godfrey Cass. (Silas Marner)
(c) Marval is the only character in ‘The Invisible Man’ who interacts with Griffin and gains something. Elaborate.
(d) How did Dr. Kemp use the information given to him by Griffin himself to get him arrested? Was he successful in doing so?
Class 12 English Previous Year Question Paper – 2019
SECTION — A
(WRITING SKILLS)
Question 1
You are Faiz/Falak Mazumdar living at 39, Udampur Colony, Shimla. You decide to hold a dinner party to congratulate your grandparents on their golden wedding anniversary. Draft a formal invitation in not more than 50 words to all family members to attend a grand dinner at home. [4]
OR
You are Harish/Harshita of 12, Seva Nagar, Pune. You want to sell your flat as you are shifting to another city for work. Draft a suitable advertisement in not more than 50 words to be published in The Pune Times under the classified columns.
Answer:
| Mr. & Mrs. Mazumdar request the pleasure of your company on the auspicious occasion of the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration of our Loving Grandparents on March 9th, 20XX at the Gymkhana Club at 9 p.m.RSVP Faiz/Falak Mazumdar 39, Udampur Colony Programme Shimla overleaf Ph:012345678 |
OR
| FOR SALE
3 bed-room flat for sale, 1200 sq. ft., attached bathroom, big balcony facing the park, modular kitchen with all modem amenities. Price negotiable, |
5. You are Neeraj/Neerja Shekhar, Principal, Vasant Public School, Pune. Your school has just started a music department. Write a letter to the Manager of Melody House, Pune, wholesale suppliers of musical instruments, placing an order for musical instruments for the school. Ask for a discount on the catalogue prices. (120-150 words) [6]
OR
Bal Vidya Public School, Bhilai, urgently requires a post-graduate teacher to teach political science for which they have placed an advertisement in The Bhilai Express. You are Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma from 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai. Draft a letter including a CV, applying for the advertised post. (120-150 words)
Answer:
Vasant Public School,
Pune-040008
March 5th, 20XX
The Manager,
Melody House,
Pune-040001.
Sub : Order for Musical Instruments.
Sir,
To promote the latent talents of the children, the school has started a music department for the upcoming academic session. Working towards this end, we need to order more musical instruments. As the most prominent music instrument seller in the town, we would be highly obliged if you could send the following instruments by March 15th, 20XX.
| Sr. No. | Item | Quantity |
| 1. | Casio | 2 |
| 2. | Piano | 1 |
| 3. | Guitar | 4 |
| 4. | Tabla | 2 |
I hope that the discount available to all the educational institutions is also made available to us.
Yours Faithfully Neeraj/Neerja Shekhar (Principal)
OR
21, Vasant Marg Bhilai
March 5th, 20XX
The Principal,
Bal Vidya Public School,
Bhilai
Subject: Applying for the post of PGT (Pol. Sc.)
Sir,
This is with the reference to your advertisement in the Bhilai Express dated March 1st, 20XX for the vacancy of a post-graduate teacher in Political Science and I wish to apply for the same.
I have just finished my B. Ed. from the Central Institute of Education (CIE) after completing my post-graduation in Political Science from Hindu College, University of Delhi. I have 4 years of teaching experience.
I am a person who is very motivated and dedicated. Given the job, I promise to keep up the reputation of the school and work diligently and sincerely. I will be available to walk in for an interview on the day and date specified by you.
Yours Faithfully
Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma
Encl. Bio-data
Bio-data
Name: Sanjay/Sanjana Sharma
Date of birth : 10/12/1990
Permanent address : 21, Vasant Marg, Bhilai
Ph. No.: 9350106576
E-mail add. : Sanjay@gmail.com/Sanjana@ gmail.com
Educational Qualifications:
| s.No. | Course | Institution | Subjects | Grade |
| 1. | 10+2(Hum.) | St. Mark’sSchool,
Bhilai. |
Eng., Com., Pol. Sc., Eco., Hist., Geog. | 90% |
| 2. | B. A. Pol. Sc. (Hons.) | Miranda College, New Delhi. | Pol. Sc. | 70% |
| 3. | M.A. Pol. Sc. (Hons.) | Hindu College. New Delhi | Pol. Sc. | 65% |
| 4. | B. Ed. | Central Institute of Education (CIE) | Pol. Sc., Eng. | 70% |
Experience:
| Post | Institution | Tenure | |
| 1. | T. G. T (Social | St. Mark’s School, | 3 years |
| Studies) | Bhilai | ||
| 2. | P. G. T. (Pol Sc.) | Birla Vidya School, Bhilai | 1 year |
Other interests : Dramatics, Reading, Photography,
References:
(i) Dr. Marwah
Reader
C-E, New Delhi
Ph. 6578267xxx
(ii) Dr. Sharma
Prof, of Pol.
Science
Hindu College,
Ph. 7621356xxx
Question 2.
Recent floods in many metropolitan cities of the country during the monsoon season laid bare the hollowness of the claims of the civic authorities of their preparedness. The poor had to bear the brunt of the problem while no one was ever held accountable. Write an article in 150-200 words on the common man’s woes during the monsoons and the need for accountability of the officials concerned. You are Sumit/Smita Verma. [10]
OR
You are Ali/Alia, Head girl/Head boy of your school. You are deeply disturbed by the rising cases of aggressive behaviour of students in your school. You decided to speak during the morning assembly about it. Write a speech on ‘Indiscipline in Schools’. (150-200 words)
Answer:
Monsoon Fury
by Sumit/Smita Verma
Rain, rain go away- Come again another day. This little childhood rhyme portraged the prevalent mood of most of the people of the major metropolitan cities of India – Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. The monsoon fury was so extensive that it led to heavy losses of material and more importantly the loss of human lives. It was all unprecedented and unexpected.
There was an extensive loss of life and property. People were stranded in their own homes as they could not move out for a couple of days. The civic system came to a halt. Phone lines were disconnected and electricity lines were snapped. Life came to a standstill in busy commercial capitals like Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
People from all strata of life suffered. However, the most affected were the poor people who felt the brunt of it. Most of them are daily wage earners but they could not go to work because of the weather conditions. The children and families went hungry for many days. Rations were provided immediately to the people. The floods brought the inadequate civic amenities, into light. It led to an outbreak of diseases.
It is now the high time that the authorities wake up and take remedial measures. Prior steps should be taken to repair the roadways, waterways and all sewage systems. The officers should be held responsible and the poor should be evacuated immediately. Rations and aid must reach the victims quickly in order to control the situation faster.
OR
Indiscipline in Schools Good morning, dear principal, teachers and my fellow students assembled here. Today, I would like to talk about one disturbing aspect—the aggressive behaviour of most of the students. Aggressive behaviour among students has almost become a norm these days. Students are no longer courteous or well-behaved. They believe that impoliteness and rudeness is going to reward them and they are seriously mistaken! Cases of students pulling pranks are or the rise. This is a matter of concern as bullies assault students and children to get into fist fights. The growing atmosphere of hate and abuse should not be tolerated any longer.
There are a number of reasons for this kind of behaviour amongst students. The influence of TV, social media and the internet brings in a lot of ill effects. Working parents are not able to look after their children and the children are left on their own to find out what is good for them. It is the high time that some drastic change should happen to improve such situations. Counselling sessions and workshops on child behaviour must be held periodically. Value education classes must be made compulsory for students. More attention should be paid to students individualy, and more PTA meetings should be conducted. Discipline should become students way of life for the growth of the nation.
Ali/Alia
Headboy / Headgirl
Question 3.
“Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career”. Write a debate either for or against the motion. (120-150 words) [10]
OR
MMD School, Nashik, recently organised a science symposium on the topic : ‘Effect of pollution on quality of life’. You are Amit/ Amita Raazdan, editor of the school magazine. Write a report on the event for your school magazine. (120-150 words)
Answer:
Academic excellence is the only requirement for successful career
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. I am Avneet Kaur of Mira Modern School. I will be speaking against the topic ‘Academic excellence is the only requirement for a successful career’. If a student is good only in academic, he will be like ‘a frog in the well’. Versatility is the keyword these days. One needs to excel as a whole and be an all-rounder.
The whole world has become a global village, and life’s challenges have become more demanding. Higher ‘EQ’ is required these days than a higher ‘IQ’. In places of work you need to handle several people of different temperaments and being just into academics, does not help. One must not only be theoretical but should also be very practical in one’s approach. Theoretical knowledge is not sufficient in real life situations. On the whole, I believe only academic excellence does not help. One must learn finer skills like . being able to handle people and situations and only then will be successful. Thank you.
OR
The Science Symposium
By Amit/Amita Raazdan
A Science Symposium was held in the school, on the topic “effect of pollution on the quality of life.” It was held on March 4th, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. More than 50 schools participated in it. Leading scientists, science teachers and students from different schools, enthusiastically took part in it. The chief guest was Dr. Khurana, a scientist from CSIR.
The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest, accompanied by the principal and other leading dignitaries. It was followed by a powerpoint presentation on the effect of pollution on the quality of life. Panel discussions were held at different levels and after that the ending address was given by the chief guest. There was also a question-answer session at the end of the programme. Students from all schools participated into it willingly.
Amir Khan, one of the participants remarked, “It was a very educative session. We learnt a lot.” As could be seen, such workshops broaden the perspective of the students.
SECTION – B
(READING)
Question 4.
Read the passage given below : [12]
1. When you grow up in a place where it rains five months a year, wise elders help you to get acquainted with the rain early. They teach you that it is ignorant to think that it is the same rain falling every day. Oh no, the rain is always doing different things at different times. There is rain that is gentle, and there is also rain that falls too hard and damages the crops. Hence, the prayers are for the sweet rain that helps the crops to grow.
2. The monsoon in the Naga hills goes by the native name, khuthotei (which means the rice-growing season). It lasts from May to early or mid-October. The local residents firmly believe that Durga Puja in October announces the end of rain. After that, one might expect a couple of short winter showers, and the spring showers in March and April. Finally, comes the “big rain” in May; proper rainstorms accompanied by heart-stopping lightning and ear-splitting thunder. I have stood out in storms, looking at lightning arc across dark skies, a light- and-sound show that can go on for hours.
3. This is the season when people use the word sezuo or sizu to refer to the week-long rains, when clothes don’t dry and smell of mould, when fungus forms on the floor and when you can’t see the moon or the stars because of the rainclouds. But you learn not to complain. Rain, after all, is the farmer’s friend and brings food to the table. Rituals and festivals centre around the agricultural rhythm of life, which is the occupation of about 70 per cent of the population.
4. The wise learns to understand its ways. I grew up hearing my grandfather say, “It’s very windy this year. We’ll get good rain.” If the windy season was short and weak, he worried there might not be enough rain for the crops. I learned the interconnectedness of the seasons from childhood, arid marvelled at how the wind could bring rain. Another evening, many rainy seasons ago, my paternal aunt observed the new moon and worried,
“Its legs are in the air, we’re in for some heavy rain.” She was right. That week, a storm cut off power lines and brought down trees and bamboos.
5. Eskimos boast of having a hundred of names for snow. Norwegians in the north can describe all kinds of snow by an equal amount of names: pudder, powder snow, wet snow, slaps, extra wet snow, tight snowfall, dry snow, and at least 95 more categories of snow. Likewise, in India we have names and names for rain. Some are common, some are passing into history.
6. The rains are also called after flowering plants and people believe that the blossoming of those plants draws out rain. Once the monsoon’s set in, field work is carried out in earnest and the work of uprooting and transplanting paddy in flooded terrace fields is done. The months of hard labour are June, July and August. In August, rain, also called phrogii, is a sign that the time for cultivation is over. If any new grain seeds are sown, they may not sprout; even if they do sprout, they are not likely to bear grain. The rain acts as a kind of farmer’s almanac.
7. The urban population of school-goers and office-goers naturally dislikes the monsoon and its accompanying problems of landslides, muddy streets and periodic infections. For non-farmers, the month of September can be depressing, when the rainfall is incessant and the awareness persists that the monsoons will last out till October. One needs to have the heart of a farmer to remain grateful for the watery days, and be able to observe—from what seems to the inexperienced as a continuous downpour—the many kinds of rain. Some of the commonly known rain-weeks are named after the plants that alternately bloom in August and September. The native belief is that the flowers draw out the rain.
8. Each rain period has a job to fulfil: October rain helps garlic bulbs to form, while kumunyo rain helps the rice bear grain. Without it, the ears of rice cannot form properly. End October is the most beautiful month in the Naga hills, as the fields turn gold and wild sunflowers bloom over the slopes, all heralding the harvest. Prayers go up for protecting the fields from storms, and the rains to retreat because the grain needs to stand in the sun and ripen. The cycle nears completion a few weeks before the harvest, and the rain does retreat so thoroughly from the reaped furrows that the earth quickly turns hard. The months of rain become a distant memory until it starts all over again.
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, complete the statements given below with the help of options that follow: [ 1 × 4 = 4]
(a) The rains are called after flowering plants because
(i) heavy rains kill plants.
(ii) flowers grow in the rainy season.
(iii) it is believed that the plants bring the rain.
(iv) flowers grow all the year round.
Answer:
(iii) it is believed that the plants bring the rain.
(b) The rain is like a calendar for farmers because
(i) it tells them when to sow and when to harvest.
(ii) it tells them the birthdays of their children.
(iii) each month has a time for plantation.
(iv) different kinds of rain tell different things.
Answer:
(i) it tells them when to sow and when to harvest.
(c) People who live in cities don’t like rain because
(i) it brings mud and sickness with it.
(ii) they are not bothered about the farmers.
(iii) they don’t like the plants that grow during the rain.
(iv) going shopping becomes difficult.
Answer:
(i) it brings mud and sickness with it.
(d) People pray asking the rain to retreat because
(i) the fungus and mould to dry.
(ii) children don’t get a chance to play.
(iii) the crops need the sun and heat to ripen.
(iv) they like to pray.
Answer:
(iii) the crops need the sun and heat to ripen.
(e) Why do the elders want you to understand the rains in the Naga hills ?
Answer:
The elders want us to understand the rains in the Naga hills because rain always does different things at different times. It tells us when to sow and harvest. It can be gentle or too hard leaving the crops damaged.
(f) What does Durga Puja mean to the farmers of the Naga hills ?
Answer:
Durga Puja means the end of the rainy season to the farmers of the Naga hills.
(g) What kind of rain is called sezuo ?
Answer:
Sezuo refers to the week-long rains, when clothes do not dry and there is a smell of mould, when fungus forms on the floor and when we cannot see the moon or the stars because of the rain clouds.
(h) What is the occupation of more than half the population of the Naga hills ?
Answer:
The occupation of more than half the population on the Naga hills is farming.
(i) How is the heart of the farmer different from that of the city person ?
Answer:
The city person dislikes the rain because of landslides, muddy streets and periodic infections. He finds incessant rain depressing. However, a farmer remains grateful for the rainy days.
(j) When does rain become a memory in the minds of the people of the Naga hills ?
Answer:
Rain becomes a memory in the minds of the people of the Naga hills, when the cycle comes near its completion a few weeks before the harvest.
(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following: [1 × 2 = 2]
(i) flowering (para 6)
(ii) non-stop (para 7)
Answer:
(k) (i) blossoming
(ii) incessant
Question 5.
Read the passage given below: [10]
1. Every morning Ravi gives his brain an extra boost. We’re not talking about drinking strong cups of coffee or playing one of those mind-training video games advertised all over Facebook. “I jump into my stationary bike and cycle for 45 minutes to work,” says Ravi. “When I get to my desk, my brain is at peak activity for a few hours.” After his mental focus comes to a halt later in the day, he starts it with another short spell of cycling to be able to run errands.
2. Ride, work, ride, repeat. It’s a scientifically proven system that describes some unexpected benefits of cycling. In a recent study in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, scientists found that people scored higher on tests of memory, reasoning, and planning after 30 minutes of spinning on a stationary bike than they did before they rode the bike. They also complete the tests faster after pedalling.
3. Exercise is like fertilizer for your brain. All those hours spent on exercising your muscles, create rich capillary beds not only in leg and hip muscles, but also in your brain. More blood vessels in your brain and muscles mean more oxygen and nutrients to help them work. When you pedal, you also force more nerve cells to fire. The result: you double or triple the production of these cells—literally building your brain. You also release neurotransmitters (the messengers between your brain cells) so all those cells, new and old, can communicate with each other for better, faster functioning. That’s a pretty profound benefit to cyclists.
4. This kind of growth is especially important with each passing birthday, because as we age, our brains shrink and those connections weaken. Exercise restores and protects the brain cells. Neuroscientists say, ” Adults who exercise display sharper memory skills, higher concentration levels, more fluid thinking, and greater problem-solving ability than those who are sedentary.”
5. Cycling also elevates your mood, relieves anxiety, increases stress resistance, and even banishes the blues. “Exercise works in the same way as psychotherapy and antidepressants in the treatment of depression, maybe better,” says Dr. Manjari. A recent study analyzing 26 years of research finds that even some exercise— as little as 20 to 30 minutes a day—can prevent depression over the long term.
6. Remember : Although it’s healthy, exercise itself is a stress, especially when you’re just getting started or getting back into riding. When you first begin to exert yourself, your body releases a particular hormone to raise your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels, says Meher Ahluwalia, PhD, a professor of integrative physiology. As you get fitter, it takes a longer, harder ride to trigger that same response.
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, complete the statements given below with the help of the options that follow : [1 × 2 = 2]
(a) Ravi gets his brain to work at peak level by
(i) drinking three cups of coffee.
(ii) playing games that need brain activity.
(iii) cycling on a stationary bike.
(iv) taking tablets to pump up his brain.
Answer:
(iii) cycling on a stationary bike.
(b) When nerve cells work during exercise then
(i) the body experiences stress.
(ii) the brain is strengthened by multiplying them.
(iii) you start to lose your temper.
(iv) your stationary cycle starts to beep. Answer the following questions briefly : [1 × 6 = 6]
Answer:
(ii) the brain is strengthened by multiplying them.
(c) How does exercise help the brain ?
Answer:
Exercise is like the fertilizer to the brain. It creates rich capillary beds not only in legs and hips muscles, but also in the brain. More blood vessels in the brain and muscles mean more oxygen and nutrients to help them work. It doubles or triples the nerve cells and builds the brain. It also releases neurotransmitters.
(d) Why does Ravi do a circuit of ‘ride, work, ride’ ?
Answer:
Ravi does a circuit of ‘ride, work, ride’ because it given his brain an extra boost. People who do such rigorous activities score higher on tests of memory, reasoning and planning. It also helps in completing the tests faster.
(e) What is the work of neuro transmitters ?
Answer:
Neurotransmitters are the messengers between our brain cells. They enable faster, and better communication between the brain cells.
(f) What benefits other than greater brain activity does one get from cycling ?
Answer:
Cycling elevates our mood, relieves anxiety, increases stress resistance and even banishes the blues. It prevents depression.
(g) Why is exercise so important for adults ?
Answer:
As we age, our brain shrinks and the connections between the cells weaken. Exercise restores and protects the brain cells. It leads to sharper memory skills, higher concentration levels, more fluid thinking and better problem solving ability.
(h) How is exercise itself a stress ?
Answer:
Exercise itself is a stress especially when one just starts an activity or gets back to it. At that point, the body releases a particular hormone which raises the heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following : [1 × 2 = 2]
(i) manure (para 3)
(ii) inactive (para 4)
Answer:
(i)
(i) fertilizer
(ii) sedentary
Question 6.
Read the passage given below: [8]
Keeping cities clean is essential for keeping their residents healthy. Our health depends not just on personal hygiene and nutrition, but critically also on how clean we keep our cities and their surroundings. The spread of dengue and chikungunya are intimately linked to the deteriorating state of public health conditions in our cities.
The good news is that waste management to keep cities clean is now getting attention through the Swachh Bharat Mission. However, much of the attention begins and stops with the brooms and the dustbins, extending at most to the collection and transportation of the mixed waste to some distant or not so distant place, preferably out of sight.
The challenge of processing and treating the different streams of solid waste, and safe disposal of the residuals in scientific landfills, has received much less attention in municipal solid waste management than is expected from a health point of view.
One of the problems is that instead of focusing on waste management for health, we have got sidetracked into “waste for energy”. If only we were to begin by not mixing the biodegradable component of solid waste (close to 60 per cent of the total) in our cities with the dry waste, and instead use this stream of waste for composting and producing a gas called methane.
City compost from biodegradable waste provides an alternative to farmyard manure (like cow-dung). It provides an opportunity to simultaneously clean up our cities and help improve agricultural productivity and quality of the soil. Organic manure or compost plays a very important role as supplement to chemical fertilisers in enriching the nutrient-deficient soils. City compost can be the new player in the field.
Benefits of compost on the farm are well-known. The water holding capacity of the soil which uses compost helps with drought-proofing, and the requirement of less water per crop is a welcome feature for a water-stressed future. By making the soil porous, use of compost also makes roots stronger and resistant to pests and decay. Farmers using compost, therefore, need less quantity of pesticides. There is also evidence to suggest that horticulture crops grown with compost have better flavour, size, colour and shelf-life.
City compost has the additional advantage of being weed-free, unlike farmyard manure which brings with it the seeds of undigested grasses and requires a substantial labour cost for weeding as the crops grow. City compost is also rich in organic carbon, and our soils are short in this. Farmers clearly recognize the value of city compost. If city waste was composted before making it available to the farmers for applying to the soil, cities would be cleaned up and the fields around them would be much more productive.
Quite apart from cleaning up the cities of biodegradable waste, this would be a major and sustainable contribution to improving the health of our soil, without further damage by excessive chemical inputs. What a marvellous change from waste to health.
The good news is that some states are regularly laying plastic roads. Plastic roads will not only withstand future-monsoon damage but will also solve a city’s problem of disposing of non-recyclable plastic. It is clear that if the mountains of waste from our cities were to be recycled into road construction material, it would tackle the problem of managing waste while freeing up scarce land.
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply and appropriate title to it. [5]
Answer:
(a) Waste Management
I. Reasons for keeping cities clean
1.1 Keeps surroundings clean
1.2 Prevents the spread of dengue and chikungunya.
1.3 Promotes overall health.
II. Waste Management-Problems
2.1 No focus on waste management from health point of view.
2.2 Processing and treating different streams of solid waste.
2.3 Safe disposal of residuals in scientific landfills.
2.4 Sidetracked into ‘waste for energy’.
III. Advantages—City Compost
3.1 Provides alternative to farmyard manure.
3.2 Opportunity to clean cities.
3.3 Improves agricultural productivity.
3.4 Better quality of soil.
3.5 Supplements chemical fertilizers.
3.6 Enriches nutrient deficient soils.
3.7 Weed free.
3.8 Rich in organic carbon.
IV. Advantages—Farm Compost
4.1 H20 holding capacity—helps drought proofing.
4.2 Requires less water per crop.
4.3 Makes soil porous—roots stronger.
4.4 Use of less pesticides.
4.5 Horticulture crops—
(i) better flavour
(ii) colour
(iii) shelf-life
V. Advantages—Plastic roads
5.1 Withstands future monsoon damage
5.2 Solves problem—disposing non-
recyclable plastic.
5.3 Better waste management
5.4 Frees up scarce land.
Key
| Abbre. | Word | |
| 1. | attn. | attention |
| 2. | H2O | water |
| 3. | qty. | quality |
| 4. | diff. | different |
| 5. | chem. | chemical |
| 6. | & | and |
| 7. | agri. | agriculture |
| 8. | mgmt. | management |
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. [3]
Answer:
(b) SUMMARY
Cleanliness in cities keeps residents healthy and prevents the spread of diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. The Swachh Bharat Mission instituted by the government is beset by a lot of challenges. City compost from biodegradable waste has a lot of advantages. It improves agricultural productivity, is weed free and enriches nutrient-deficient soils as it is rich in organic carbon. Farm compost is equally beneficial. Use of such compost in soil enhances the water holding capacity and thus, there is less requirement of water per crop. It makes the soil porous and roots stronger and resistant to pests and decay. With plastic roads, there is less monsoon damage and it simultaneously solves the city’s problem of disposing non-recyclable plastic. Moreover, it also tackles problem of managing waste while freeing up scarce land.
SECTION — C
(LITERATURE : TEXTBOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT)
Question 8.
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: [1 × 4 = 4]
….. and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make ‘Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with the sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
…..
(a) Identify the poem and the poet.
(b) What is the role of the clear rills ?
(c) How has the mid forest brake become rich?
(d) Name the figure of speech in ‘cooling covert’.
OR
…. On their slag heap, these children Wear skins peeped through by bones and spectacles of steel With mended glass, like bottle bits on stones.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Explain : ‘slag heap’.
(c) What future awaits these children ?
(d) Name the figure of speech used in the third line.
Answer:
(a) ‘A Thing of Beauty’ by John Keats.
(b) Clear rills make the land fertile. Travellers here, find a shady place to take rest, when it is too hot.
(c) The mid forest brake has become rich because of the flowers blooming in it. There are musk roses, adding colour and beauty to the scene.
(d) Alliteration.
OR
(a) ‘An Elementary School Classroom in a Slum’ by Stephen Spender.
(b) ‘Slag heap’ means garbage dump. The poet is pointing at the children of the slum who are extremely starved and malnourished. They appear Skinny like a skeleton. Their world is full of dirt and garbage and they spend their life raking these slag heaps.
(c) The future of these children will be bleak and dark unless they are educated.
(d) Simile
Question 9.
Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each : [3 × 4 = 12]
(a) What does the poet’s smile in the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ show ?
Answer:
The poet’s smile in the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ shows that she is trying to pretend that everything is alright. She is trying to comfort herself and her mother by putting on a brave front.
(b) “Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds….”. In the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker’s son, which two worlds is Anees Jung referring to ?
Answer:
There are two worlds that Anees Jung is referring to in the context of Mukesh, the bangle maker’s son. One world is of the family, caught in poverty and burdened by the stigma of caste in which they are bom. The other world is the vicious circle of the sahukars, middlemen, policemen, keepers of law, bureaucrats and politicians.
(c) Though the sharecroppers of Champaran received only one-fourth of the compensation, how can the Champaran struggle still be termed a huge success and victory ?
Answer:
The Champaran struggle can be termed as a huge success and victory because of the following reasons :
(1) Gandhiji wanted to break the deadlock.
(2) The amount of the refund was not important but the landlords obliged to surrender a part of the money and with it their prestige.
(3) Lastly, the peasants had developed courage and learnt to amplify themselves. They had overcome their fear.
(d) Which article in McLeery’s suitcase played perhaps the most significant role in Evans’ escape and how?
Answer:
The semi-inflated rubber ring played the most significant role in Evan’s escape. It was filled with pig’s blood from the slaughterhouse in Kidlington. It was mixed with actual blood with l/10th of its own volume of 3.8 per cent trisodium citrate. Evan covered his head and face with this blood and thus was able to hide his indentity from the eyes of the prison officer.
(e) Why does Derry’s mother not want him to go back to visit Mr. Lamb ?
Answer:
Derry’s mother did not want him to go back to visit Mr. Lamb because she did not want her child Derry to wander around and get influenced by others who laugh at him.
She wanted him to think it out on his own. She is selfish and realizes that Mr. Lamb has played a more important role in Derry’s life.
(f) What considerations influenced the Tiger King to get married ?
Answer:
For the Tiger King, his selfish interests were more important. He wanted to marry the princess not for love but for his own greed. He wanted to marry a girl who had enough tigers in her father’s kingdom as he had to kill 30 more tigers to complete his mission of killing 100 tigers.
Question 10.
Answer the following question in 120-150 words: [6]
In one’s approach to life one should be practical and not live in a world of dreams. How is Jansie’s attitude different from that of Sophie ?
OR
Fear is something that we must learn to over-come if we want to succeed in life. How did Douglas get over his fear of water ?
Answer:
It is definitely true that one should have a realistic approach to life. It is better to be practical and down-to-earth than to be lost in the world of dreams. There is a total contrast between the attitudes of Sophie and Jansie. They are poles apart as far as their thinking is concerned. Jansie is extremely practical and down-to-earth and knows that they were earmarked to work in the biscuit factory, after finishing their high school.
Sophie is unrealistic and highly imaginative. She dreams of impossible careers — like becoming an actress, opening a boutique or becoming a fashion designer. Even when the entire family laughs at her impossible expectations of life, she does not deter. She only confides in Geoff, her brother because he does not contradict her. She also daydreams about having a date with Danny Casey, the famous football player. She feels shattered as she only gets a fleeting glimpse of him among 10,000 spectators in the stadium.
OR
“All we have to fear is fear itself”, said Roosevelt. When the element of fear creeps in, even the best of ventures will prove to be unsuccessful. Douglas had an aversion to water since his childhood. He was, when a bully pushed him into the water. The fear conquered his mind and he developed an aversion to water from then onwards. However, after a point, he felt upset as he could not indulge in water activities like fishing, canoeing, boating and swimming.
So he decided to overcome his fear of water. He appointed an instructor who trained him for 5 days,. The instructor put a belt around him with a rope attached to the belt which went through a pulley that ran on an overhead cable. He held on to the end of the rope and went back and forth, week after week for nearly three months. The instructor made him put his face underwater and exhale, and then raise his nose and inhale. He held him at the side of the pool and made him kick the water with his legs. Piece by piece, Douglas became a swimmer and swam the length of the pool.
However, to fully reassure himself, he swam the length of the swimming pool alone in the absence of the instructor. He swam in Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire and the warm lake until he felt truly confident.
Question 11.
Answer the following question in 120-150 words: [6]
At the end of the storytelling session, why does Jack consider himself ‘caught in an ugly middle position’ ?
OR
It may take a long time for oppression to be resisted, but the seeds of rebellion are sowed early in life. How did Zitkala-Sa face oppression as a child and how did she overcome it ?
Answer:
Jack used to tell a story from his own imagination every Saturday night in order to make Jo asleep. He used to create a basic plot with a hero named Roger, who had a problem which had to be solved by the wizard who would send him to the wise owl, who would then guide him how to get the required pennies. Jo was a precocious child who raised a lot of questions. On that particular day, his chief character was a skunk, who wanted to have the smell of roses so that he could relate to his peer group. There was a big controversy about the ending of the story as Jo supported Roger skunk and Jack supported his mother. At the end of the story, Jo wanted the story to be altered so she refused to sleep. Jack went down to help his wife Clare. She was furious as she felt that he had spent too much time with Jo. Jack found himself to be caught in an ugly position as he felt inadequate and helpless, both as a father and a husband.
As a father he had not been able to make Jo sleep who was unhappy with the ending of the story and as a husband, his wife was angry at him and he felt like he had nothing to do with her.
OR
Childhood is a time when the mind is most formative. The experiences that take place in childhood are indelible. It is proved in the life of Zitkala-Sa, a Red Indian student who was enrolled in a boarding school run by Yankees. When Zitkala entered the school, she felt distinctly out of place and uncomfortable. Her shawl was pulled away and she was made to wear clinging short dresses and shoes instead of her usual moccasins.
When the bells started ringing, she misinterpreted the signal and did all the things in a wrong way. She felt that the teacher’s eyes were always on her.
What angered her most was when she was warned by Judewin that her long hair was going to be cut. Her long hair was her identity and in their community, only mourners and cowards had their hair shingled.
Being an independent student, she decided to rebel against the system. She went to a large room and tried to hide under a large bed. However, she was pulled out, tied to a chair and her hair was cut. She felt that her individuality had not been respected and she was just a puppet in the hands of the Yankees.
However, through sheer determination and perseverance she worked hard. She became an eminent writer who championed the cause of her fellowmen.
Question 12.
Answer the following questions in 120-150 words : **[6]
How does the perception and attitude of the villagers of Raveloe change towards Silas Mamer from the beginning to the end of the novel ?
OR
How do you perceive Dr. Kemp based on his interaction with Griffin ?
Question 13.
Answer the following question in 120-150 words : ** [6]
How is Godfrey Cass different from his younger brother Dunstan ?
OR
“Misdirected and self-serving ambition essentially remains an exercise in futility.” Describe Griffin’s character in the light of the above statement.
Class 12 English Previous Year Question Paper – 2018
Section – A
(WRITING SKILLS)
Question 1.
After the rains, cases of dengue, chikungunya etc., are on the rise in your city. As the Principal of Sunshine Public School, Manu Vihar, you have decided to allow your students to wear full sleeve shirts and trousers in the school for a period of one month. Write the notice in about 50 words. [4]
OR
You are Health Secretary, Students Council Citizens Public School, Ram Bagh, Varanasi. The Council has decided to start from the second of October a week-long cleanliness drive around the school. Draft a notice in about 50 words asking the Class XI students to enrol for the drive.
Answer:
| SUNSHINE PUBLIC SCHOOL, MANU VIHAR NOTICE16th March, 20XXRELXATION IN UNIFORMThis is to inform all the parents that after incessant rains, cases of dengue and chikungunya have been noticed, concluding this, the school mangement has swung into action and decided to allow the students to wear full sleeve shirts and trousers in school for a period of one month, i.e., from july to August, 20XX. Parents are requested to co-operate int his matter. Principal A.K. Sharma |
OR
| CITIZEN PUBLIC SCHOOL, RAMBAGH NOTICE16th Oct, 20XXCLEANLINESS DRIVEThe student’s council of our school is launching a week long Cleanliness Drive from 2nd October to 8th October, 201XX. The Students of class XI are requested to join this mission by enrolling for the drive and make it a great success at large. XYZ. Health Secretery |
Question 5.
Last month you purchased a TV set from Ram Electronics, Pushp Vihar, Ambala. It is not working properly (imagine a few defects). Write a letter of complaint in 120-150 words to the Manager asking for repair or replacement. You are Amar/Amrita, M114 Model Town, Ambala.
You are living in a village along a national highway. The state roadways bus does not stop near your village. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the General Manager. State Railways requesting a bus stop for your village. Give all the reasons why you need a bus stop there. You are Omar/Amna, Gopalpur, Dist. Ramnagar.
Answer:
M114, Model Town,
Ambala
24th January, 20XX
The Manager
Ram Electronics
Pusp Vihar Ambala
Subject: Complaint against defective T. V. Set.
Sir,
IboughtaL.G. 21″colourT.V. set from your show-room against cash memo no. 3212 dated 15th Jan, 20XX. You assured me that your T.V. sets were far superior in function than that of other companies.
Last week, it started showing major defects like blurred vision and sound. I thought that the sound problem was due to weak signals and that it will rectify shortly but it stayed with a more stronger frequency. Now, the situation is that the sound is not clear at all. It is jarring and, the colours are fading away suddenly. Since the T.V. set is within the guarantee period of two years, you are requested to get the defects rectified by your service engineers. In case, if the set is beyond repair, kindly get it replaced.
Thank you,
Your sincerely
Amar/Amrita
OR
Gopalpur,
Dist. Ramnagar
16th March, 20XX
The General Manager
The State Roadways Authority
Ramnager
Subject: Request for a bus stop.
Sir,
I beg to draw your kind attention to the problem of transport in our village, Gopalpur. As you are aware, Gopalpur is situated along the national highway but the villagers are facing the brunt of isolation as there is no bus stop within a radius of 2 km. Since the state buses are unavailable, the autos and taxis also don’t have a stand nearby. It becomes extremely difficult to commute from the place except in one’s own vehicle.
I request you to start the bus service in our village at the earliest so that the inconvenience being caused to the villagers is permanently eradicated, looking forward to an early action by the concerned authorities Your truly Omar/Anna
Question 7.
Sakshi Malik won a bronze medal in the Rio Olympics; every Indian felt proud of her. You, Head girl of your school, want to deliver a speech in order to express your feelings. Write the speech in 150-200 words. Apart from your own ideas, use the following clues :
Wrestling mostly a male sport-Sakshi born in conservative surroundings-most unfavourable gender ratio for females-parental encouragement-one can’t forget the look of determination on her face in the last three minutes of the bout. [10]
OR
‘Our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset, a resource’. Write a debate in 150-200 words, either for or against the motion. Answer:
SAKSHI MALIK’S ACHIEVEMENT
Good morning everyone!
Respected Principal, teachers and my dear friends. I, xyz the head girl of the school, am going to deliver a speech on Sakshi Malik. In India, where all the sisters were celebrating the day with their brothers on Raksha Bandhan, far away in Rio de Janeiro, a 23-year-old wrestler, Sakshi Malik, made the nation proud by winning a bronze medal.
Malik became the first female Indian wrestler who has bagged a medal in the Olympics.
Sakshi Malik, the daughter of a bus conductor, comes from a small district in Haryana. She started her training at the age of 12. Malik and her coach, Ishwar Dahiya, faced many problems during the initial stages of the former’s career as the mentality of the conservative society thought that wrestling was not meant for girls; it was thought to be a male sport. There are still so many people who are living with such male-dominant thinking.
Not only has she proved to be one of the. best wrestlers in the world but also fought off long odds, bureaucratic obstacles, lack of facilities, and the conservative Indian society. Sakshi taught the nation that women in the country need support more than protection. We are proud to be the citizens of the nation where women like Sakshi Malik are born.
OR
LARGE POPULATION NOT A CAUSE OF POVERTY BUT AN ASSET
A very good morning to the jury members, all my dear friends and my fellow participants. Today, I am going to speak for the topic ‘our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset, a resource’.
India has the second highest population in the world with 125 crore people and also is the biggest provider of skilled manpower in the world, currently India provides the maximum number of engineers to the world. It is also one of the largest markets for automobiles, high-value foods, etc. Large population means more intelligence that can be put to good effect and also skilled population draws more projects from foreign companies as well.
I, therefore, agree with the view that our large population is not a cause of poverty but an asset as every hand can become an earning hand for the economy and not a cause of poverty.
Section – C
(LITERATURE: TEXT BOOKS AND LONG READING TEXT)
Question 9.
Answer any four of the following questions in 30-40 words each : [3 × 4 = 12]
(a) Why was Franz not scolded for reaching the school late that day ?
(b) Sophie was dreaming of so many things in her life. What were they ?
(c) Why are the youngsters described as springing ? (My Mother at Sixty-Six).
(d) In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort? (A thing of Beauty)
(e) How did the Maharaja deal with a high ranking British officer who wanted to shoot a tiger ?
(f) Having got rid of his stink, what problem did Roger Skunk face ?
Answer:
(a) Mr. H. Hamel did not scold Franz. He only said that it is not good to put off learning. He was overwhelmed with emotions as it was his last French lesson. So, he asked him to sit in his place quickly.
(b) Sophie dreamt of becoming as boutique owner, and actress, a manager or a fashion designer. She wanted to be a part of the sophisticated world so that she could visit exotic places that the believed her brother want to.
(c) While driving to the airport, in an effort to distract herself from the thoughts of her ageing mother, the poet looks at the young trees, ‘sprinting’. The trees seem to be running past the moving car. The sprinting of the trees symbolises the rapidly passing years of a human’s life from childhood to old age. This image, showing activity and strength, is contrasted with that of her old and weak mother who seems pale and dormant, sleeping in the car. The ‘young’ trees represent life in contrast to her mother’s approaching death.
(d) In the hot season, both men and beast relax in a bower and walk by a cooling covert made by the rills
(e) The British Officer told the Maharaja that he wanted to hunt tigers in his kingdom but the Maharaja refused to give him his permission. The Maharaja himself wanted to kill a hundred tigers, so he had to refuse to give permission to the British Officer. Instead, he told the officer that if he wants to hunt boars, rats or even mosquitoes, there will be no problem. But hunting tigers could never be allowed.
(f) He faced the problem from his mother who felt extremely annoyed. She could not stand that smell. She decided to take him right back to that ‘awful’ wizard and ask him to give the original smell back to her boy.
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