Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions Set 6 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Set 6 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
- 15 Minute prior reading time allotted for Q-paper reading.
- The Question Paper contains THREE Sectians-Reading, Grammar & Writing and Literature.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills (20 Marks)
Question 1.
Read the passage given below. (1 x 10 = 10)
Did you know that there is a fiber that is as flexible and lightweight as nylon yet five times stronger than steel? Did you know that this fabric is resistant to temperatures higher than 500 degrees Fahrenheit ? Did you know that a woman invented this fiber? This miraculous fabric is called Kevlar and it is used to make everything, from body armor to musical instruments.
The year was 1964. There were gasoline shortages due to conflict in the Middle East A Polish-American chemist named Stephanie Louise Kwolek was working for DuPont an American chemical company. She and her group were trying to make a lightweight yet durable fiber to be used in tires.
Lighter tires would allow vehicles to get better gas mileage, but the tires had to be strong ’ enough to resist the wear and tear of the road. They had been working on the problem for some time and had little success, until Kwolek had a breakthrough.
Kwolek and her group were synthesising or creating fibers to test During one of the steps in the process, Kwolek created a milky white solution by mixing two chemicals that were often used in the process. This solution was usually thrown away, but Kwolek convinced one of the technicians to help her test it They were amazed to discover that the fabric that Kwolek had created was not only more durable than nylon, it was more durable than steel also. Kwolek had invented Kevlar.
Kevlar is a remarkable fabric known for its strength and durability. Since its invention, it has found its way into a wide variety of products. Kevlar is used in sporting equipments like bike tires, bowstrings, and tennis racquets. It is used in musical instruments like drum heads, reeds and speaker cones. It is dlso used in protective gears like motorcycle safety jackets, gloves and shoes. However, Kevlar is best known for its ability to stop bullets.
Richard Armellino created the first Kevlar bulletproof vest in 1975. It contained 15 layers of Kevlar, which could stop handgun and shotgun bullets. The vest also had a steel plate over the heart which made the vest strong enough to stop rifle rounds. Vests like Armellino’s were quickly picked up by police forces and it is estimated that by 1990, half of all the police officers in America wore bullet proof vests daily.
Based on gour reading of the passage, answer the following questions given below;
(A) Choose the option that shows the various qualities of Kevlar.
(1) Flexible
(2) Stiff
(3) Strong
(4) Hard
(5) Heavy
(6) Light
(a) (1), (3) and (6)
(b) (2), (4) and (5)
(c) (1), (2), (4) and (5)
(d) (1), (3) and (4) [1]
Answer:
(a) (1), (3) and (6)
(B) What were Stephanie Louise Kwolek and her group trying to make? [1]
Answer:
Durable fibre
Explanation: it is given in the passage that Setphanie and her team was trying to – make a durable fibre to be used in the tires. Hence, it is the right answer.
(C) Identify the quality that would help a vehicle to get a better gas mileage.
(a) Strong tires
(b) Steel body
(c) Hard metal disc brakes
(d) Light weight tires [1]
Answer:
(d) Light weight tires
(D) What did Kwolek discover that shocked the technicians? [1]
Answer:
kevlar
Explanation: It is given in the passage that kevlar is a lightweight and durable material which is very flexible. It is used in all (a), (c) and (d) but it couldn’t be used in (b) guns as guns aren’t flexible or light-weight Hence, (b) is the right answer.
(E) Does the following statement agra with the information given in the passage. Kevlar is best used to stop bullets, that’s why, it is used to make body armours.
True-if the statement agrees with the information.
False-if the statement contradicts the information.
Not given-if there is no information on this. [1]
Answer:
True
(F) In which of the following articles is Kevlar NOT used?
(a) Bullet proof vests
(b) Speaker cones
(c) Gloves
(d) Jewellery [1]
Answer:
(d) jewellery
(G) What was Kwolek originally trying to create when she stumbled upon the creation of Kevlar? [1]
Answer:
durable fibres for tires
(H) Kevlar is a remarkable fabric Choose the word that can SUBSTITUTE the underlined word.
(a) Low class
(b) Cheap
(c) Wonderful
(d) Strong [1]
Answer:
(c) Wonderful
(I) Which of the fallowing words is NOT similar to ‘breakthrough’?
(a) Discovery
(b) Advance
(c) Development
(d) Result [1]
Answer:
(d) Result
Explanation: The word ’breakthrough’ means to have an advance or a discovery of something. Options (a), (b) and (c) are similar to it while (d) is not Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(J) Which category of articles does Kevlar have no contribution in?
(a) Sporting equipment
(b) Protective gears
(c) Musical instruments
(d) Medical tools [1]
Answer:
(d) Medical tools
Question 2.
Read the passage given below. (1 x 10 = 10)
About 28 two-wheeler riders died daily on Indian roads in 2016 for not wearing helmets and others for not fastening their seat belts, according to an analysis of data shared by the states with transport ministry. The year was the deadliest with at least 31 people dying in every 100 road accidents.
It has steadily increased from 21.6 deaths per 100 accidents in 2005 to 29.1 in 2015. This is for the first time that police and transport departments in states have captured data on deaths caused due to people not wearing helmet. States have reported that one of every five bike occupants who died in crashes was not wearing a helmet and their total number was 10,135. UP accounted for most such fatalities (3,818), followed by Tamil Nadu (1,946) and Maharashtra (1,113).
A study by the United Nations last year had estimated that wearing an appropriate helmet improves chances of survival of bikers by 42%. The states have also provided data in deaths due to people not wearing the seatbelt of cars. A total of5,638 people died on this account in 2016 with UP accounting for the most deaths (2,741).
Experts say the number of deaths due to people not wearing helmets and seatbelts could be more as the available data may not have captured the details in entirely. Two- wheelers remained the most unsafe mode of transport, not just for the riders but also posed maximum danger to others on the road. Crashes caused by two-wheelers resulted in nearly 44,000 deaths while a total of 52,000 riders died in road accidents, which is nearly 35% of the total road deaths in 2016.
“Safety of two-wheeler occupants is a big issue not just in India but for the entire South East Asian region where their share is the highest among all types of vehicles. But very little has been done for the safety of the occupants. Western solution won’t help us in making our roads safer. There has to be specific policy intervention to meet our requirements,” said road safety expert Rohit Baluja.
Based on your reading of the passage, answer of the fallowing questions.
(A) According to an analysis of data shared by the states with transport ministry, what is the basic reason of deaths on roads?
(1) Not fastening seat belts
(2) Not wearing strong shoes
(3) Not having road knowledge
(4) Not wearing helmets
(5) Not knowing driving
(a) (1) and (5)
(b) (2) and (4)
(c) (1) and (4)
(d) (3) and (5) [1]
Answer:
(c) (1) and (4)
(B) As per the given statistical data in the passage, how will the graph show the fatal road accidents in the passing years?
(a) Moving upwards
(b) Moving downwards
(c) Moving linear
(d) Moving haphazard [1]
Answer:
(a) Moving upwards
(C) Which state has been accounted for most fatalities related to the bike crash? [1]
Answer:
Uttar Pradesh
(D) What are the chances of survival for a person wearing an appropriate helmet? [1]
Answer:
42%
Explanation: It is given in the data that a study by the United Nations last year had estimated that wearing an appropriate helmet improves chances of survival of bikers by 42%.’ Hence, it is the right answer.
(E) What is the number of road causalities that happened due to not wearing helmets and seatbelts?
(a) Millions
(b) Billions
(c) Thousand
(d) Unspecified [1]
Answer:
(d) Unspecified
Explanation: It is given in the passage that ’Experts say the number of deaths due to people not wearing helmets and seatbelts could be more as the available data may not have captured the details in entirely.’ Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(F) TWo-wheelers tops the chart for the most risky category of vehicles for accidents. True/False. [1]
Answer:
True
(G) What solutions needs to be applied on Indian roads?
(a) Western solution
(b) Specific road policies
(c) Stopping two-wheelers
(d) Managing traffic [1]
Answer:
(b) Specifk road policies
(H) Complete the sentence with correct information.
Crashes caused by two-wheelers resulted in nearly ………………… deaths while a total of riders died in road accidents. [1]
Answer:
44,000; 52,000,
(I) Which year was the deadliest with at least 31 people dying in every 100 road accidents? [1]
Answer:
2016
(J) Choose an option that means the same as ‘accidents’.
(a) occupant
(b) unsafe
(c) crashes
(d) fastening [1]
Answer:
(c) crashes
Section – B
Creative Writing Skills (20 marks)
Question 3.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
You are Adi/Aditi Singh, Cultural Head, St. Stephen’s School, Ranchi. Write a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board informing the students about an Inter-school drawing competition to be played in your schooL Invite them to watch , and cheer the teams.
OR
You have found a calculator in the school playground. Draft a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board. You are Smith/Smitha, Class XII, ES. Convent School, Raipur. [5]
Answer:
ST. STEPHEN’S SCHOOL, RANCHI
NOTICE
23rd April, 20XX
Inter-School Drawing Competition
This is to bring to the notice of all the students that an Inter-school drawing competition is be¬ing organized by the school as per the details given below:
Date: 31st August 20xx
Time: 11 AM onwards
Venue: School Auditorium
All the students are invited to attend the match and cheer for’the teams. For any query, contact the undersigned.
Adi/Aditi Singh
Cultural head
OR
ES. CONVENT SCHOOL, RAIPUR
NOTICE
31st May, 20XX
Found A Calculator
I have found a black-coloured calculator in the school playground during the recess yesterday. The calculator seems to be a new purchase with the plastic wrap on it Owner may please contact the undersigned during the school . hours in the recess.
Smith/Smitha
Class XII-B
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
Draft a formal invitation in 50 words to be sent to your friends and relatives on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony of your new showroom.
OR
Write a formal reply to Mrs. and Mr. Khan, regretting your inability to attend the wedding ceremony of their son due to a prior engagement. You are Mr. Syed. Invent other details yourself. [5]
Answer:
M/s Savita Enterprises
request your benign presence at the
Inaugural Ceremony
of their new showroom
SURYA COMPLEX CENTRE
On Sunday, 2nd September,
20XX at 10:00 a.m.
At
144/20, Lodhi Road, Gwalior
RSVP:
M/s Savita Enterprises
Mob. 9234xxxxxxx
OR
Mrs. and Mr. Syed thank Mrs. and Mr. Khan for inviting them on the occasion of the wedding ceremony of their son, Ayan Khan on Friday, 5th December, 20XX at Worlds Inn Hotel. They regret to be unable to attend the ceremony due to a prior engagement They wish the couple a very happy married life.
Best wishes
Syeds
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
National Book Trust organised a week-long book fair at Omax Ground, Agra. You visited the fair and bought a few books. You were pleased with the arrangements, enthusiasm of the visitors and the fact that books have not yet lost their relevance in the world of the Internet. Write a letter in 120-150 words to the editor of a local newspaper to express your feelings. You are Raj/Rajini Bansal, 12/2, Kavita Kunj, Agra.
OR
You have read an advertisement in the newspaper, ‘Hyderabad Times’ for the post of software engineer in Telenox, Hyderabad. You believe that you possess the requisite qualifications and experience and your innovative ideas will prove an asset to the company. Write an application in 120-150 words emphasising your strong points and your suitability for the post. Also include your biodata. You are Alka/Ayan, 9/R, Romi Vihar, Hyderabad.
Situation Vacant
Wanted a talented Software Engineer for Telenox, Hyderabad. The candidate must have a degree from a reputed college and minimum three years’ experience in a software company. Contact, the HR manager, Telenox: 93235xxxxxx [5]
Answer:
12/2, Kavita Kunj
Agra
15th February, 20XX
The Editor
Agra Times
Agra
Subject: Appreciation and joy to be at the – World Book Fair
Sir/ma’am,
Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to share my enthusiasm visiting the successful book fair at Omax Ground.
I have always been a bibliophile so I was naturally excited to visit the famous World Book Fair that was organized by the National Book Trust Organization. However, I was quite sure that not many students would visit the fair because students nowadays no longer access books. Rather, the internet has taken the place of all the books and the dictionaries in the world.
But to my surprise, I saw that there were record-breaking crowd of students on the ground who wanted books of all kinds. The arrangement in the fair was amazing. I felt so good to see the old enthusiasm among the students that used to prevail before the internet era.
It was clear from the success of the fair that books have still not lost their charm and relevancy among people. I feel that more such book fairs should be organized each year to enhance the importance of books.
Yours truly,
Raj/Rajini
OR
9/R, Romi Road
Hyderabad
7th September, 20XX
The Manager
Telenox
Hyderabad
Subject: Application for the post of a Software
Engineer
Sir/Ma’am,
In response to your advertisement in the Hyderbad Times, dated 5th September, 20XX for the post of a software engineer, I hereby offer my candidature for the same. I believe that my skills and qualifications match your requirements.
I have worked as a software engineer at ABD Communications for last five years. It has been my dream to work for a magnificent company like Telenox. My abilities are quite strong in user-interface and system coding. If given the opportunity, I am sure I will be able to prove my capabilities to you practically.
I would be glad to get this opportunity and speak more about my work in a personal interview. For your reference, I am enclosing my detailed resume along with the letter. Sincerely,
Alka/Ayan
Encl: Bio-data
BIO-DATA:
Name: Alka/Alpesh Rai
Name: Alka/Ayan
Father’s Name: Mr. Surendra Sharma
Date of Birth: 17th October, 19XX
Address: 9-R, Romi Road, Hyderabad
Hobbies: Reading, Music, Photography and Sports
Languages Known: Hindi, English, and German
Nationality: Indian
Educational Qualifications: Graduation in Software Engineering from NT Hyderabad Diploma in Graphic Design from Gold Academy, Hyderabad
Experience: Worked as a Manager – Technology for five years at ABD Communications, Hyderabad
Salary Expected: Negotiable
References: (i) Mr. Sahil Anand (HOD), Gold Academy, Hyderabad
(ii) Mrs. Pooja Rai, Manager, ABD Communications, Hyderabad
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
A super specialty hospital was inaugurated in the city by the Health Minister. As a reporter from ‘Delhi Times’, write a report in not more than 120-150 words on the same to be published in the newspaper. You are Aryaman Saxena, the staff reporter. Use the given cues.
- 600-bed hospital
- Fully equipped with ventilators, oxygen supply, life support ambulances, etc
- In-house blood bank
- 5500 meter square area
- Thirty crore rupees expenditure
OR
You are Vijay Dutta, a student of class XII. You have to write on whether a person talks more or less, it should always speak ‘sensible’. Write a speech in not more than 150 words to be delivered in the morning school assembly. [5]
Answer:
Super Specialty Hospital Inaugurated by Aryaman Saxena, Staff Reporter,
Delhi Times
New Delhi, 8th January 20XX: ‘Maxx’ super specialty hospital was inaugurated by the Health Minister of State in New Delhi on Monday, 7th January, 20XX. The 600-bed hospital seems to be equipped with the most advanced machines and equipment like ventilators, oxygen supply, advanced Life- support ambulances that have been made available round the clock. Besides having an in¬house blood bank, its information system has been linked to the other major blood banks in the country to enable the right group of blood made available at a short notice.
The hospital covers an area of 5,500 square meters and the total expenditure in building the hospital is said to be around thirty crore rupees. Addressing the people, Dr Hrydham Vij, the Medical Superintendent reinforced the need for dedicated and committed staff. He sincerely hoped that the hospital would provide the best health care services to the people at a nominal cost
OR
Good morning everyone. Today I, Vijay Dutta, a student of Class XII, stands before you to speak on the topic The Importance of Talking Sensible’.
Communication is essential to make put ones’ thoughts across others’ A person is only understood when he talks about his feelings, emotions, thoughts, experiences, beliefs, etc. Some people are so good at communicating their thoughts and points precisely to. others while some struggle hard to make others understand about their basic feelings.
I think it happens because people often miss the most important aspect of talking which is ‘sensibility’. Talking less or talking more is both acceptable according to a person’s individual choice. However, talking insensibly or immaturely is not acceptable. When one has nothing important to speak, on should avoid speaking. One should always put his opinions or thoughts in a way that it doesn’t hurt anybody’s sentiments.
Any sort of incomplete or vague conversation should be discouraged. Talking is the most liked activity of many people but little do they know their words make other people feel bad about themselves or demotivate them. Hence, I believe that it’s better to keep quiet rather than speaking something of no good or value to add.
Section – C
Literature (40 marks)
Question 7.
Read the extracts given below and attempt ANY ONE of the two given by answering the questions that follow: (1 x 6 = 6)
The polished traffic passed with a mind Ahead,
Or if ever aside a moment, then out of Sorts
At having the landscape marred with the artless paint
Of signs that with N turned wrong and Turned wrong
(A) Choose an option that states the complaint that the city people had with the roadside stand.
(a) The artless paint of the roadside stand
(b) Poor people asking for alms
(c) No N and S sign boards
(d) Unhygienic products [1]
Answer:
(a) The artless paint of the roadside stand
(B) Identify the feeling that the poor people have when the rich people complaints about the roadside stand. [1]
Answer:
Infuriated
Explanation: The poor people gets infuriated when they hear complaints regarding the roadside stand as the rich people do not buy anything but instead always complaint about it.
(C) The poor people ‘marred’ the landscape. The term ‘marred’ means:
(a) Damaged
(b) Beautified
(c) Lavish
(d) Dignified [1]
Answer:
(a) Damaged
(D) The road signs were turned wrong. This shows that the owner of the roadside stand was:
(a) Smart
(b) Clever
(c) Illiterate
(d) Urban [1]
Answer:
(c) Illiterate
(E) What does the poet mean by ‘polished’ traffic?
(a) Urban
(b) Rural
(c) Destitute
(d) Strong [1]
Answer:
(a) Urban
(F) Complete the given sentence with reference to the extract.
The urban people were ………………. towards the rural people. [1]
Answer:
indifferent
OR
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
(A) Choose the word that can SUBSTITUTE the word ‘utter’.
(a) count
(b) keep
(c) speak
(d) arms [1]
Answer:
(c) speak
(B) What does the expression ’not move our arms’ mean?
(a) Sit quietly
(b) Not eat anything
(c) Be inactive
(d) Sit still without any movement [1]
Answer:
(d) Sit still without any movement
(C) ‘The face of the Earth’ refers to the people ………………. [1]
Answer:
living on the surface of earth
(D) Identify the feeling that inactivity is going to obtain eventually. [1]
Answer:
peace
(E) According to the poet, what does ‘twelve’ signify?
(a) hours of a clock
(b) month of a year
(c) zodiac sign
(d) all of the above [1]
Answer:
(d) all of the above.
(F) The title of the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ suggests:
(a) inactivity
(b) noise
(c) unhappiness
(d) silence [1]
Answer:
(d) silence
Question 8.
Read the extracts given below and attempt ANY ONE of the two given by answering the questions that follow. (1 x 4 = 4)
The Maharaja’s anxiety reached a fever pitch when there remained just one tiger to achieve his tally of a hundred. He had tNs one thought during the day and the same dream at night By this time the tiger farms had run dry even in his father-in-law’s kingdom. It became impossible to locate tigers anywhere. Yet only one more was needed. If he could kill just that one single beast the Maharaja would have no fears left He could give up tiger hunting altogether.
(A) ‘By this time the tiger farms had run dry even in his father-in-law’s kingdom’. Which of the following option DOES NOT mean the same as the underlined word.
(a) replenished
(b) diminished
(c) died out
(d) waned [1]
Answer:
(a) ‘replenished
Explanation: To run dry’ ‘to be completely used up’. Options (b) diminished, (c) died out and (d) waned are synonyms and can be used in their stead. Only option (a) replenished means ‘to be filled up again’. So, it cannot be used in the sentence. This means option (a) is the correct answer.
(B) What does the phrase “to reach a fever pitch’ mean?
(a) a state of intense excitement and agitation
(b) to do something that is pointless and useless
(c) to make a choice between two unpleasant choices
(d) to give time or energy to something that is ended or over [1]
Answer:
(a) a state of intense excitement and agitation
Explanation: To reach fever pitch means to be ‘extremely excited or agitated’. This points to option (a) as the correct answer. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(C) The Maharaja thought about his hundredth tiger day and night. Which of the following options can SUBSTITUTE the underlined word.
(a) oppressed
(b) caressed
(c) pondered
(d) regressed [1]
Answer:
(c) pondered
Explanation: To keep thinking about something is to ponder over it. This points to option (c) as the correct answer. Hence, (c) the correct answer.
(D) What act is filed for violating hunting tigers? [1]
Answer:
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
Explanation: If the Tiger King lived in the present time, his tiger hunt would violate the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
OR
The first day in the land of apples was a bitter- cold one; for the snow still covered the ground, m and the trees were bare. A large bell rang for breakfast its loud metallic voice crashing through the belfry overhead and into our sensitive ears The annoying clatter of shoes on bare floors gave us no peace The constant clash of harsh noises, with an undercurrent of many voices murmuring an unknown tongue, made a bedlam within which I was securely tied. And though my spirit tore itself in struggling for its lost freedom, all was useless.
(A) Identify the literary device that has been used the most in the extract. [1]
Answer:
onomatopoeia
Explanation: Words like ‘crashing, clatter, clash, murmuring’ point to the extensive use of onomatopoeia in this extract
(B) Choose the option that best defines a ‘belfry’.
(a) A building with a large bell
(b) A building with a glass window
(c) Hotel
(d) Boarding [1]
Answer:
(a) A building with a large bell
Explanation: The word ‘belfry’ has ’bell’ in it so it should be a structure that has a belL Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.
(C) What does ‘murmuring an unknown tongue’ show about Zitkala-Sa?
It shows that ………………… [1]
Answer:
she did not know English at all
Explanation: From her comments it can be inferred that Zitkala-Sa did not know the English language at all.
(D) Choose the word that means the same as ‘bedlam’.
(a) pandemonium
(b) harmony
(c) tranquility
(d) quietude [1]
Answer:
(a) pandemonium
Explanation: Options (b), (c) and (d) mean the opposite of ’bedlam’ which is ‘calm’. Hence, they are not the correct answer. Only option (a) is the synonym of bedlam and means chaos. So only option (a) is the correct answer.
Question 9.
Read the extracts given below and attempt ANY ONE of them by answering the questions: (1 x 6 = 6)
Gemini Studios was the favourite haunt of poets like S.D.S.Yogiar, Sangu Subramanyam, Krishna Sastry and Harindranath Chattopadhyaya. It had an excellent mess which supplied good coffee at all times of the day and for most part of the night Those were the days when Congress rule meant Prohibition and meeting over a cup of coffee was rather satisfying entertainment Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks, everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a pre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore khadi and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they had not the faintest appreciation for political thought of any kind.
(A) Select the phrase that means the same as ‘mess’ in this extract:
(a) a messy place where people eat
(b) a condition of disorder and confusion
(c) a large public room for meals
(d) a place for people to make a mess [1]
Answer:
(c) a large public room for meals
Explanation: ‘Mess’ is another word for ‘a room in which members eat their meals’. Hence, the correct option is option (c).
(B) Choose the reason that states the reason behind people going to Gemini Studios’ mess.
(a) Because they could get good coffee day and night.
(b) Because they could not get good coffee elsewhere.
(c) Because they wanted to meet filmmakers.
(d) Because they could see the film stars. [1]
Answer:
(a) Because they could get good coffee day and night
Explanation: The poets frequented the Gemini Studios’ mess because they got good coffee all day and a large part of the night. Hence, the correct answer is (a). Options (b), (c) and (d) are all incorrect because there is no evidence for them in the extract.
(C) Choose the option that means the same as ‘Prohibition’ in this extract.
(a) That wearing khadi was banned.
(b) That reading poems was banned.
(c) That drinking coffee was banned.
(d) That drinking alcohol was banned. [1]
Answer:
(d) That drinking alcohol was banned.
Explanation: ’Prohibition’ means alcohol is prohibited or banned. So, option (d) is the correct answer.
(D) What were the political thoughts of the people at Gemini Studios?
They were ………………. interested. [1]
Answer:
not much
(E) Which word can SUBSTITUTE the word ‘faintest’?
(a) Slightest
(b) Strongest
(c) Strangest
(d) Fastest [1]
Answer:
(a) Slightest
(F) The word ‘pre-requisite’ mean:
(a) Needed to understand the basic steps of a process
(b) Needed as a prior condition for something else
(c) Not needed to make a thing/process complete
(d) Not needed in the process of making or after [1]
Answer:
(b) Needed as a prior condition for something else.
OR
H. G. Wells in an interview in 1894 referred . to ‘the interviewing ordeal’, but was a fairly frequent interviewee and forty years later found himself interviewing Joseph Stalin. Saul Bellow, who has consented to be interviewed on several occasions, nevertheless once described interviews as being like thumbprints on his windpipe. Yet despite the drawbacks of the interview, it is a supremely serviceable medium of communication.
(A) Which of the following contradiction can be found in H.G. Wells’ attitude towards the interview?
(a) he was a writer who was also an in-terviewer.
(b) he thought it was an ordeal get gave copious interviews.
(c) he thought it was an assault and yet continued to assault others.
(d) he was scared of being feted and yet gave interviews. [1]
Answer:
Explanation: ‘Pre-requisite’ means a precondition for something. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
(b) he thought it was an ordeal yet gave copious interviews.
Explanation: The contradiction in H.G Wells’ attitude was that he gave many interviews in spite of thinking they were an ordeal. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
(B) What was Saul Bellow’s feelings about being interviewed?
(1) admired
(2) annoyed
(3) anxious
(4) liberated
(5) choked
(6) suffocated
(a) 1,3,4 and 6
(b) 1 and 4
(c) 5 and 6
(d) 2, 5 and 6 [1]
Answer:
(c) 5 and 6
Explanation: Bellow describes interviews as being ‘thumbprints on his windpipe’. This means he felt choked and suffocated by interviews. Hence, (c) the correct answer.
(C) Select an option that states the correct meaning of the term ‘serviceable’ in the extract.
(a) dependable
(b) outworn
(c) obsolete
(d) inefficient [1]
Answer:
(a) dependable
Explanation: ‘Serviceable’ means ’functional’ and dependable. So, option (a) is the correct answer.
(D) Which of these is the correct antonym of ‘drawback’?
(a) defect
(b) fault
(c) benefit
(d) hitch [1]
Answer:
(c) benefit
Explanation: ‘Drawback’ means a ‘disadvantage’ It is not (a) defect, (b) fault and (d) hitch because they are all synonyms but option (c )benefit as it is a synonym. Hence, (c) is the correct answer.
(E) What does the author mean when he said H.G. Wells was a ‘frequent interviewee’? This means that he used to:
(a) Give regular interviews
(b) Give no interviews
(c) Give minimal interviews
(d) Give a few interviews [1]
Answer:
(a) Give regular interviews
(F) There is a in the last lines of the extract.
(a) Conclusion
(b) Contrast
(c) Similarity
(d) Comparison [1]
Answer:
(b) Contrast
Question 10.
Attempt ANY FIVE out of the six questions given below, in 40-50 words each. (5 x 2 = 10)
(A) Umberto Eco liked being interviewed. Justify. [2]
(B) Why did Sophie feel ‘suffocated’ when she entered her house? [2]
(C) ‘Life provides many charms yet it too causes suffering and pain’. Expound with reference to the statement based on your reading of the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’. [2]
(D) Interpret the main symbol in this poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’. [2]
(E) Explain why the ironmaster saw the stranger lying close to the furnace in a very strange way. [2]
(F) The misery of the poor tenants made Gandhiji want to help them. What was the misery of the peasants of Cham- paran? [2]
Answer:
(A) Umberto Eco liked being interviewed. This can be justified by the way he was being polite and enthusiastic in his answers to Mukund Padmanabhan’s questions in his interview. Not only a normal conversation but Umberto Eco also gave deep insights into his writing and shared an anecdote with the interviewer.
(B) When Sophie entered her home, it was a mess. Her father was eating shepherd’s pie and her younger brother Derek was hanging from the back of their father’s chair. The smoke from the kitchen that steamed the room and her father sitting at the table sweating and eating made Sophie feel very claustrophobic at that moment.
(C) Life is a journey that has both good and parts bad included in it Each of us complains of failures, the failings of human nature, the hardships, and the diseases that we come across through life. Still, we love life against death as it has many charms and goodness in it
(D) In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, the poet has used the symbol of tigers. The tigers represent bravery, might, courage, strength, confidence and zeal. The way they roam in the forest unbothered, symbolizes the inner desire of Aunt.
(E) The iron master saw the stranger lying close to the furnace in a very strange way because he was trying to recognize him as he believed to know him. So, he walked up to him and looked him over very carefully. Then he mistook him for an old acquaintance who was a comrade from his regiment.
(F) The peasants of Champaran were crushed immorally by the British landlords. They forced them to plant 15 per cent of their holding with indigo and then surrender the entire harvest as rent for the estate. Later, when synthetic indigo was developed and indigo plantation was no longer profitable, the landlords asked the peasants to pay them compensation for releasing their land from the 15% arrangement.
Question 11.
Attempt ANY TWO out of the three questions given below, in 40-50 words each: (2 x 2 = 4)
(A) Explain the ‘Journey to the end of the Earth’ that was done by Tishani Doshi. [2]
(B) Which incident made Bama laugh a lot. Explain with a rationale. [2]
(C) Derry used to hate the consolation that people gave him. What consolation did people give when they saw his acid burnt face? [2]
Answer:
(A) Tishani Doshi boarded the Russian research vessel the Akademik Shokalskiy to reach the ‘end of the Earth’ which is ’Antarctica’. She started from Madras (Chennai), crossed nine time zones in a hundred hours ’ to watch the desolate, bare, expansive landscape of the snowy continent.
(B) When Bama was returning from her school she saw an old man from their street holding a packet of vadai (a fried snack) by its string handles and hand it over to the andlord with much respect This act of the old man made Bama laugh as she had no idea why he was behaving that way.
(C) When people saw Derry’s acid burnt face, they tried to console him by saying that looks does not matter. Derry hated the sympathy showed to him as he knew that he would continue to look like a ‘monstrous beast’ forever.
Question 12.
Answer ANY ONE of the questions given below.
According to Louis Fischer, Gandhiji succeeded in his Champaran campaign. Justify the statement.
OR
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Support the statement with reference to the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’. [5]
Answer:
The main motive of Gandhiji in his Champaran campaign was not only to get the money refunded in to the poor sharecroppers but also to liberate them from the fears of the British. Gandhiji realized that the peasants were afraid of the British. In order to win any battle against the British, it was very important that the peasants had to get rid of the terror of the British from their minds.
Gandhiji taught them to be self-reliant. He ‘ proved this when he was offered the help from C.F. Andrews to provide justice in the sharecroppers’ case but be refused seek his help to win the battle against them.
Later, the peasants got over their fear of the British and when they won the case and got the money refunded even just half of the asked amount, they learnt that they had their own rights and nobody could take it from them, not even the powerful British.
OR
The main theme or the message conveyed by the poem ‘A Thing of Beauty’ is that a beautiful thing, big or smalL gives a permanent joy to person. The nature has given us various rich bounties which are so beautiful to look at and feeL The poet then give examples of the sun, the moon, the stars, the cool water rills, sheep, daffodils and a lot more that bring instant happiness on our faces as soon as we look at them.
The world is full of grief and sorrows. But the nature has provided us so many beautiful things that give us relief from the gloom of our lives. The beauty of a thing does not get diminished with the passing time but its memories increases day by day. A thing of beauty leaves a permanent imprint on our minds forever.
Question 13.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words.
Imagine you are the narrator writing to your parents back home telling them about your experience in Antarctica and how it is similar to that back home in some ways.
Antarctica
02 August XX
Dear mom,
it is- so different here. I can’t post this letter but I write to capture these amazing moments I am spending here. Antarctica is- With love …………….
OR
After Mr. Lamb dies, will Derry get back to his old seclusion or will Mr. Lamb’s brief association with Derry lead to a change in the land of life he leads in the future? [5]
Answer:
Akademik Shokalskiy
Antarctica
02 August 22
Dear Mom,
It is so different here. I can’t post this letter but I write to capture these amazing moments I am spending here. Antarctica is hands down the best place in the* world that I have seen. We travelled for a hundred hours on a car, an aeroplane and a ship to reach this remote and desolate place. There are miles of snow and ice all around.
I have lost my sense of perspective. But inside the Shokalskiy, we are like a family just like hack home. Everyone takes care of everyone else. The other day I cut my finger and Justine (she’s French) helped me with the band-aid. We also have a poet on board, Tishani Doshi. Thanks for sending me on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
With love,
Anamika/Amit
OR
In the play, we have seen the huge impact that Mr. Lamb has created on Derry in a fraction of time. This impact of Mr. Lamb on Derry is evident through the scene where Derry’s mother stops him from meeting the former but Derry doesn’t pay heed to what his mother tells him about Mr. Lamb’s reputation in the area. Th e transformation that Mr. Lamb has successfully brought in Derry from negativity to positivity in life, will grow stronger after Mr. Lamb dies.
It is very unusual for Derry to connect to a person as he is an introvert who doesn’t like to get close to anyone especially due to his embarrassment from his burnt face. But when he meets, Mr. Lamb, he feels alive again. Mr. Lambs positive approach towards life and physical impairment is something Derry has just imagined. Derry starts to trust and confide in Mr. Lamb which shows that he is having a change of heart towards people. All these changes hint towards Derry becoming a motivated different person after Mr. Lamb dies.