ISC English Literature specimen Paper 2025 Solved, Download PDF -

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The Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations has issued the Class 12 ISC English Literature Specimen Paper 2025 to familiarise students with the test format. By practicing with the English Paper 2 Literature Specimen Paper, you can improve your test preparation and aim for 100% in the Class 12 exams. You can download the ISC 2025 English Literature Specimen Paper Solved PDF from the board’s official website via the direct link provided on this page.

ISC 12th English Literature Specimen Paper 2025

The ISC 12th English Literature test will take place on February 17, 2025. To prepare for the ISC Class 12 English paper 2 test, candidates should review the sample question papers as well as past years’ Board questions. For last-minute preparation, applicants can use the ISC Class 12th English Literate Specimen paper 2025 to learn about the paper format, question types, marks distribution, weightage subjects, and question repetition.

ISC English literature specimen paper 2025 with answers

Along with the Class 12th ISC English Literature Specimen Paper 2025, the board has anskey in a single pdf. The solutions will help students understand the marking scheme and answer writing techniques. Download and check the official ISC 12th English Specimen Paper with answers below.

ISC Specimen Paper 2025 English Literature Solved

Question 1 [10]
Choose the correct options for the following questions.
(i) How does Lady Macbeth attempt to divert the attention of the guests from Macbeth’s strange behaviour at the banquet? (Recall)
(a) She uses her social grace and charm to distract the guests.
(b) She engages the guests in conversation and entertainment.
(c) She pretends that Macbeth has an illness that is momentary.
(d) She speaks of Macbeth’s courage in troubled times.

Answer: (c) She pretends that Macbeth has an illness that is momentary.

(ii) What is Macbeth’s reaction when he sees Banquo’s ghost at the banquet? (Recall)
(a) He pretends to remain calm and collected.
(b) He is terrified and loses control over himself.
(c) He blames Ross and Lennox for playing tricks on him.
(d) He is proud and boastful.

Answer:(b) He is terrified and loses control over himself.

(iii) What does Banquo’s soliloquy in Act III Scene i of the play Macbeth, reveal about him? (Understanding)
(a) He is afraid of Macbeth.
(b) He is puzzled and confused.
(c) He is jealous of Macbeth and wishes to seize the throne.
(d) He is suspicious of Macbeth’s actions.

Answer:(d) He is suspicious of Macbeth’s actions.

(iv) In Act V of the play Macbeth, which one of the following do you think reflects the tragic arc of the play? (Analysis)
(P) Macbeth’s soliloquy; “Out, out brief candle, Life’s but a walking shadow.”
(Q) Lady Macbeth’s breakdown: “What’s done cannot be undone.”
(R) Macduff’s greeting: “Hail, King of Scotland.”
(S) Malcolm’s final words: “So, thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.”
(a) (P) and (R)
(b) (P) and (Q)
(c) (R) and (S)
(d) (P) and (S)

Answer:(b) Only (P) and (Q)
(v) Read the two statements from the short story, The Cookie Lady and choose the correct option from the ones given below. (Analysis)
Statement I: “Why don’t you read to me from your books? You know I
don’t see too well anymore and it’s comfort to me to be read to.”
Statement II: “You don’t mind if I touch your arm, do you?”
(a) Statement I and II are similar.
(b) Statement I and II are not related to each other.
(c) Statement II is the reason for Statement I.
(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.

Answer:(d) Statement I is the reason for Statement II.
(vi) Which of the following BEST captures the central idea of the short story, The Medicine Bag? (Interpret)
(a) Embracing one’s cultural roots.
(b) Disrespect for the older generation.
(c) The fruits of modernisation.
(d) Peer pressure in adolescents.

Answer: (a) Embracing one’s cultural roots.
(vii) Which natural element plays a crucial role in the end of the story There Will
Come Soft Rains? (Recall)
(a) Hail
(b) Wind
(c) Heat
(d) Rain

Answer:(b) Wind
(viii) In the poem Telephone Conversation, the potent metaphor “stench of rancid
breath” is used to: (Interpret)
(a) evoke a strong sense of repulsion and disgust.
(b) describe bad odour in the telephone booth.
(c) create a toxic atmosphere.
(d) create a mental image of the lady with bad breath.

Answer: (a) evoke a strong sense of repulsion and disgust.

(ix) Why does Shane Koyczan begin the poem, Beethoven, with the word “Listen”? (Analysis)
(a) To highlight the fact that Beethoven was abused.
(b) To make the poem appealing and lend rhythm.
(c) To add novelty to the beginning.
(d) To align it with the theme of music.

Answer: (d) To align it with the theme of music.
(x) How is Death personified in the opening lines of the poem, Death be Not
Proud? (Recall)
(a) As a desperate man
(b) As a gentle agent of Fate
(c) As a mighty conqueror
(d) As a reaper of souls

Answer:(c) As a mighty conqueror

Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each in brief. Do not write the question. [10]

(i) Macbeth returns to the witches in Act IV Scene i because __________________. (Understanding)

Answer:(i) he seeks to know more of the prophecies / he is increasingly desperate and
wants reassurance about his future / his ambition is fuelled / he wants to secure
his reign.
(ii) In Act V Scene viii of the play Macbeth, Macbeth initially refuses to fight Macduff because__________________. (Recall)

Answer:(ii) he was already burdened with guilt / spilled enough blood already / committed
a spate of murders

(iii) In Act III Scene iv of the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth dismissed the guests at the banquet without standing on any ceremony because__________________. (Analysis)

Answer: she recognised signs of Macbeth’s troubled mind / she was afraid he would blurt out the truth / his erratic behaviour might expose them / he was making a fool of himself.
(iv) The escape of Fleance in Act III Scene iii of the play, Macbeth, is significant because__________. (Interpret)

Answer:it ensures that Banquo’s line could potentially survive, fulfilling the prophecy
that Banquo’s descendants would inherit the throne.

(v) In the short story, Atithi, Motilal Babu and Annapurna choose Tarapada as a prospective groom for their daughter because __________________. (Recall)

Answer:they want to temper Charusashi’s wild nature. / she was their only daughter and
so would be able to stay with them even after marriage.

(vi) In the short story, The Cookie Lady, Mrs. Drew wanted Bubber to keep visiting her because_________

Answer:she drew from his vitality and enjoyed the transformation she experienced. /
she was growing younger again by stealing his youth.
(vii) In the short story, Indigo, Aniruddha asked Sukhanram if there were ghosts in
the bungalow because__________________.

Answer:the place was spooky and old dak bungalows had a reputation for being
haunted.
(viii) In the poem, Telephone Conversation, the speaker resented the landlady asking
him about the colour of his skin because__________________.

Answer:being judged on the basis of skin colour was ignorant / dehumanising / unfair /
insulting.
(ix) In the poem, Small Towns and the River, the dead are placed pointing west because____________

Answer: when the soul rises, it will walk towards the east toward heaven. / it was a ritual passed down from generation.
(x) Beethoven amputated the legs of his piano because__________________.
Answer: he was deaf and got down on his knees so that he could feel the vibrations through the floor.