Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions Set 8 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Set 8 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)
Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was a happy and a healthy baby. Her father, Arthur, worked for a newspaper while her mother, Kate, took care of the home and baby Helen. She grew up on her family’s large farm called Ivy Green. She “enjoyed the company animals including the horses, dogs and chickens.
When Helen was around one and a half years old she became very sick She had a high fever and a bad headache for several days. Although Helen survived, her parents soon realised that she had lost both her sight and her hearing. She tried to communicate with people around her. She had special motions she would use to indicate that she wanted her mom or her dad.
However, she would also get frustrated. She realised that she was different and it was ‘extremely difficult to let others know what she needed. She would sometimes throw tantrums, kicking and hitting other people in anger. Soon Helen’s parents realised that she needed some special help. They contacted the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. The director suggested a former student named Anne Sullivan. Anne had been blind, but had her eyesight restored by surgery. Perhaps her unique experience would allow her to help
Helen. Anne came to work with Helen on March 3, 1887 and became her helper and companion for the next 50 years.
Anne began to teach Helen to use words. She would press the letters of words into Helen’s hand. For example, she would put a doll in one of Helen’s hand and press the letters of the word D-O-L-L into her other hand. She taught Helen a number of words. Helen would repeat the words by pressing them to Anne’s hand.
However, Helen still didn’t understand that the hand sign had a meaning. Then one day Anne put Helen’s hand into the water coming from the pump. Then she spelled out water into Helen’s other hand. Something clicked in Helen’s mind. She, finally, understood what Anne was doing. An entire new world opened up for Helen. She learned a number of new words that day. In many ways it was one of the happiest days of her life.
Next, Anne taught Helen how to read. Hel¬en must have been very bright and Anne an amazing teacher because soon Helen could read entire books in Braille. Braille is a special reading system, where the letters are made out of little bumps on a page. Imagine trying to learn how to read if you couldn’t see or hear. It’s truly amazing what Helen and Anne were able to accomplish. At the age of ten, Helen could read and use a typewriter. Now, she wanted to learn how to talk. She learned it from Sarah Fuller. Sarah was a teacher for the deaf.
Based on your reading of the passage, answer any ten of the following questions given below:
(A) Select the things that Helen loved to do in her childhood.
(1) Spending time with her friends
(2) Spending time with company farm animals
(3) Spending time with grandparents
(4) Painting and drawing
(a) (1), (2), (3)
(b) (2) and (4)
(c) (3) and (4)
(d) Only (2) [1]
Answer:
(d) Only 2
(B) How did Helen use to communicate with people around her? [1]
Answer:
Helen used to communicate with people through specific motions as indications.
(C) Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference. Helen would become angry sometimes as it was ……………… [1]
Answer:
difficult for her to make others understand what she needed.
(D) Helen was born a special child. True/false. [1]
Answer:
False
Explanation: As per the passage, Helen was born a healthy child but later, due to a high fever, she lost her sight and hearing. Hence, it is false.
(E) Where did Helen Keller spent her childhood? [1]
Answer:
Ivy Green
(F) Anne used to press letters in Helen’s hand. This way of teaching by Anne was ………………….
(a) theoretical
(b) creative
(c) pressurizing
(d) unprofessional [1]
Answer:
(b) creative
(G) ……………….. is a special reading system where the letters are made out of little bumps on a page. [1]
Answer:
Braille
(H) Select the reason that Perkins Institute suggested Anne Sullivan’s name as Helen’s teacher.
(a) Anne was a great teacher.
(b) Anne had been through the same trauma.
(c) Anne was in the need of a job.
(d) Anne was a blind expert. [1]
Answer:
(b) Anne had been through the same trauma.
Explanation: Anne Sullivan had been blind in the past but she recovered through a surgery. This made her and Helen feel _ connected in a way as Anne would know how to deal with a blind child better. Hence, (b) is the right answer.
(I) ‘Something clicked in Helen’s mind’. Substitute the given pharse with ONE WORD.
(a) Proposal
(b) Enlightenment
(c) Teaching
(d) Understanding [1]
Answer:
(b) Enlightenment
Explanation: Enlightenment refers to understanding the new clear meaning of a thing in life which was unclear before. Here, same thing happened with Helen as she it opened a new world for her thereafter. Hence, (b) is the right answer.
(J) Why did the author say that Helen must have been a bright child? [1]
Answer:
As she learned how to read through Braille really quickly, just at the age often.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below. (1 x 10 = 10)
Tourism is the travel for recreation, leisure, religious and family business purposes, usually for a limited duration. Tourism is commonly associated with transational travel but may also refer to travel to another location within the same country. The World Tourism Organisation defines tourists as people “travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes’.
Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. It can be domestic or international and international tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country’s balance of payments. Today, tourism is a major source of income for many countries, and affects the economy of both, the source and the host countries. In some cases, it is of vital importance.
Tourism suffered as a result of a strong economic slowdown of the late 2000s recession, between the second half of 2008 and the end of 2009, and the outbreak of H1N1 influenza virus. It then slowly recovered; with international tourist arrivals surpassing the milestone of 1 billion tourists globally for the first time in history in 2012.
International tourism receipts grew to US $ 1.03 trillion in 2011, corresponding to an increase in real terms of 3.8% from 2010. In 2012, China became the largest spender in International tourism globally with US $ 102 billion, surpassing Germany and the United States. China and emerging markets significantly increased their spending over the past decade, with Russia and Brazil as noteworthy examples.
Tourism is an important even vital, source of income for many countries. Its importance was recognized in the Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 as ‘an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct effects on the social, cultural, educational and economic sectors of national societies and on their international relations’.
Tourism brings in large amounts of income into a local economy in the form of payment for goods and services needed by tourists, accounting for 30% of the world’s trade of services and 6% of overall exports of goods and services. It also creates opportunities for employment in the service sector of the economy associated with tourism.
Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions as briefly as possible:
(A) Select an option that lists the reason why people travel nationally or internationally.
(a) For recreation
(b) For family business purposes
(c) For leisure
(d) All of these [1]
Answer:
(d) All of these
Explanation: As given in the passage, people travel nationally or internationally for recreation, family business purposes, leisure or religious purposes. Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(B) What is the effect of international tourism on the country’s balance of payments?
(a) Incoming implications
(b) Outgoing implications
(c) Both incoming and outgoing implications
(d) No implication [1]
Answer:
(c) Both incoming and outgoing implication
Explanation: International tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country’s balance of payments.
(C) Tourism suffered globally in 2008-09 due to ……………….. and ………………. [1]
Answer:
strong economic slowdown of the late 2000s recession; the outbreak of H1N1 influenza virus.
(D) Does the following statement agree with the information given in the passage?
As per the statistical data, in 2012, the international tourist arrivals surpassed the milestone of 1 billion tourists.
True-if the statment agrees with the information.
False-if the statement contradicts with the information.
Not Given-If there is no information on this. [1]
Answer:
True
(E) What is the usual limit to be a tourist as described by the WTO?
(a) > year
(b) < year
(c) < 2 months
(d) = a month [1]
Answer:
(b) < year.
(F) Globally speaking, which country leads as the spender in the International Tourism? [1]
Answer:
China
(G) Tourism is a vital source of income for many countries. Substitute the underlined word with ANOTHER WORD.
(a) Similar
(b) Strong
(c) Important
(d) Weak [1]
Answer:
(c) Important
(H) How does the tourism industry contribute to the economy? [1]
Answer:
By exporting goods, contributing in monetary terms, and providing better employment opportunities.
(I) Which country did NOT fall in the list of best spenders in International Tourism market?
(a) Brazil
(b) China
(c) Germany
(d) India [1]
Answer:
(d) India
Explanation: As per the information in the passage, all (a), (b) and (c ) fall in the list of International Tourism Market except (d) India. Hence, (d) is the right answer.
(J) Complete the given sentence correctly.
Tourism creates ……………….. for people in the nation. [1]
Answer:
job opportunities
Section – B
Creative Writing Skills (20 marks)
Question 3.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
You are Sahil Anand. As the Crafts Club Head of your school, Ess Ess Convent School, Bhopal, draft a notice in not more than 50 words to inform the members of the club to join the meeting on finalizing the theme for the Craft Exhibition to be held in your school.
OR
You are the Sports Captain of St. Paul’s School, Indore. Write a notice in not more than 50 words for the school notice board informing the students about an Inter-school Hockey match to be played in your school. Invite them to watch and cheer the teams. [5]
Answer:
ESS ESS CONVENT SCHOOL, BHOPAL
NOTICE
9th September, 20XX
Meeting Regarding Craft Exhibition
This is to inform all the members of the Crafts Club of the school that a meeting has been organized by the Department Head to discuss the theme for the coming Craft Exhibition. All the members are requested to join the meeting by 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. For further details, please contact the undersigned.
Sahil Anand
(Crafts Club Head)
OR
ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL, INDORE
NOTICE
5th October, 20XX
Inter-School Hockey Match
This is to inform all the students that an Inter-school hockey match is being organized by the school as per the details given below :
Date : 10th October, 20XX
Time : 11 AM onwards
Venue: School playground
All the Students are invited to attend the match and cheer for the teams. For any query, contact the undersigned.
Xyz
Sports Captain
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
Your school St. Peter’s college, Agra, has organized a Vaccination Booth in the school playground to give free vaccines against the deadly virus of the recent pandemic. Draft a formal invitation in not more than 50 words for the event giving all the details.
OR
You are Amit Kumar. Draft a formal reply to Mrs. & Mr. Saxena, accepting their invitation to celebrate this year’s Holi with them at their residence. Do not use more than 50 words. [5]
Answer:
The Principal, Staff and Students of St Peter’s College
Request your attendance to take the free
vaccine
Against the deadly virus
On the 8th of July, 20XX, 12.00 p.m. Onwards
At
The Vaccine Booth, the School Playground.
Dr. Harry Thomas, Former Director City
Hospital Agra, will be present to honor every candidate with a vaccine certificate.
R.S.V.P
Principal
St. Peter’s College, Agra
Ph.: 0562-22xxxx
You are required to take a heavy meal 1 hour prior before taking the vaccine
OR
Mrs. & Mr. Kumar thank Mrs. & Mr. Saxena for inviting them to celebrate this Holi with them. The couple accepts the invitation and is extremely excited to join them for the celebration on 15th of March, 20XXfrom 8.00 p.m. onwards at their residence.
Best Wishes
Mrs. & Mr. Kumar
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
You are Alka/Alpesh Rai, a resident of 21/3, Harikrishna Colony, Jamshedpur. You have seen an advertisement in the newspaper, ‘Deccan Herald’ for the post of Human Resource Manager in Geet Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Jamshedpur. Apply for the post with your complete bio-data. (100-120 words).
Situation Vacant
Wanted a young energetic HR Manager for ; Geet Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Jamshedpur. The candidate must have a degree from a reputed college and minimum three years’ experience in the given field. Contact: Isha < Singha, Manager, Geet Technologies Pvt. s Ltd: 98976xxxxxx
OR
Write a letter to the Editor, ‘Hindustan Times’, New Delhi, highlighting the need to assess the sports talent at a young age by sports teachers, coaches, etc, so that it does not go unrecognized. Thus, we shall have a large pool of young talented sports persons who can be groomed. You are Saksham/ Sakshi Dave of 13-A, Jasola, New Delhi. (120-150 words). [5]
Answer:
21/3, Harikrishna Colony,
Jamshedpur
8th February, 20XX
The Manager
Geet Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Jamshedpur
Subject: Application for the post of Human Resource Manager
Sir/ma’am,
In response to your advertisement in ‘Deccan Herald’ dated 7th February, 20XX, I wish to be considered for the post of Human Resource Manager.
I hold a Masters degree in commerce (Human Administration) from Tata College of Commerce. I had recently left Akash Academy after serving as an HR Manger for five years to pursue my diploma in HR Managing (foreign) from St. Hopkins College of Commerce, which is now complete.
I believe if given an opportunity, I will perform quite well to enhance my growth further in the company. I herewith attach attested copies of my certificates and my bio-data for your perusal
Thanking you Yours faithfully Alka/Alpesh Rai EncL: Bio-data & Certificates
BIO-DATA
Name : Alka/Alpesh Rai
Father’s Name : Shri Ramnath Rai
Address : 21/3, Harikrishna Colony, Jamshedpur
Date of Birth : 3rd March, 19XX
Educational Qualifications : (i) M.Com(Human Administration) from Tata College of Commerce, Jamshedpur.
(ii) Diploma in HR Managing (Foreign) from St Hopkins College of Commerce, Jamshedpur
Experience : Worked as an HR Manager in Akash Academy for five years
Salary Expected : Negotiable
Marital Status : Married
Languages known : Hindi, English and German
References : (i) Mr. Jogi Yadav, Manager, Akash Academy, Jamshedpur, 63425xxxxxx
(ii) Mrs. Arti Jha, HOD, St Hopkins College of Commerec, Jamshedpur, 9786xxxxxx
OR
J713-A Jasola
New Delhi
21st June, 20XX
The Editor
Hindustan Times
New Delhi
Subject: Need to assess sports talent at younger age in schools
Dear Sir/ma’am,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to express my views on the need to assess sports talent at younger age in schools to create a pool of brilliant sports persons who can be groomed to achieve something big in their sports career.
In India, we have several people who are good at different sports. Despite that, we fail to achieve success at various levels of championships and tournaments. The reason behind it is the late training that is been provided to the sports enthusiasts. It is important to tap this enthusiasm among the people at early stages of life where the scope and learning ability is wider. This way, by the time the people would be ready to take up championships, they will become totally trained in their sport. Therefore, I request you to take the necessary measures to help the schools and communities create a sports pool at young age.
Yours truly
Saksham/Sakshi Dave
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following:
You are Vikas Sharma, Staff Correspondent for The National News. Write a report on the car accident that killed 6 people in it. Use the given cues along with gour own ideas to write a report about the same in 120-150 words.
- Tragic road accident
- Bus collided with family car
- roadways unkempt bus
- Drunk driver
- Anger in people
Money is surely a vital aspect of life but it causes more harm than good. You are Anam Khan, a student of St. Francis School, Agra. Write a speech on ‘Money causes more harm than good’ to be delivered in the school in not more than 150 words. [5]
Answer:
Killed in a Car Accident
Report By Vikas Sharma, Staff Correspondent
The National News
In Gwalior, 29th August,20XX: As many as six people are reported to be killed in a tragic car accident yesterday, including a woman and two children. The car accident happened with a roadways bus near Datia District highway around 5.00 pm. The roadways bus was in an unkempt condition and seemed to have lost control People witnessing the accident reported the bus driver to be drunk. The ill- fated car was carrying people from Gwalior to Agra. The bus, on the other hand, was returning empty from the bus stop. The injured were immediately rushed to the nearby hospital where all six succumbed to death.
The Police have registered a case against the bus drive for drunk driving. During this mayhem, some tumultuous elements tried to set the bus ablaze. The police controlled the commotion caused after the accident somehow and took the bus driver into the custody for further interrogation.
OR
Good Morning respected Principal, teachers and my dear students. Today I, Anam Khan, will speak on the topic ‘Money causes more harm than good’. Money is the greatest necessity of man today. In the race of getting ahead of others, man has tost his values and inherited traits. We all have heard the saying one or the other time that “money is the root of all evil”. It gives birth to many inhumane activities and characteristics like jealousy, hatred, viciousness, cold-heartedness, etc..
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)
“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) ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. Why is it a joy ‘forever’?
(a) It casts a long-lasting impression on us.
(b) It keeps on changing our feelings.
(c) It stays with us for a short time.
(d) It creates temporary memories. [1]
Answer:
(a) It casts a long-lasting impression on us.
Explanation: ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it has a long-lasting impression on our minds. The beautiful memories of looking at a thing of beauty, stays with us forever. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(B) The phrase ‘Pass into nothingness’ means:
(a) turn into supreme
(b) increase
(c) fade away
(d) turn into wholesomeness [1]
Answer:
(c) fade away
Explanation: The given phrase ‘to be turned into a nothingness’ means fade away! Hence, (c) is the right answer.
(C) ……..’but will keep A bower quiet for us’.
What do you mean by ‘bower’? [1]
Answer:
Cool shady place
Explanation: A ‘bower’ refers to the cool shady place under a tree that is used by people to take rest on a hot sunny day.
(D) Why does the poet refer the breaths to be ‘quiet’?
(a) As it brings a calm sleep.
(b) As it makes a person inactive.
(c) As it makes one very lazy.
(d) As it kills the person. [1]
Answer:
(a) As it brings a calm sleep.
Explanation: By ‘quiet’, the poet means that the sleep that a bower given one is „so soothing and calm that it lightens the breathing and makes a person relaxed. Hence (a) is the right answer.
(E) Identify the poetic device in the line ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever.’
(a) Metaphor
(b) Paradox
(c) Epigram
(d) Simile [1]
Answer:
(c) Epigram
Explanation: In the line, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’, there is epigram. Epigram refers to a short witty statement that is ‘ used as a theme for complementing or satiating in the poem. Hence, (c) is the right answer.
(F) List the correct rhyme scheme of the extract. [1]
Answer:
aabbc
OR
Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen tike that
of a corpse and realised with
Pain that she was as old as she
looked but soon
(A) List the literary device used in the phrase ‘her foce ashen like that of a corpse’. [1]
Answer:
Simile
Explanation: The phrase uses the word ‘like’ for drawing a comparison. This shows that the poetic device used in the given line is simile.
(B) The narrator was sad after looking at her mother. Select a reason behind it.
(a) Her mother was old and nearing death.
(b) Her mother would cry at the airport.
(c) She will have to leave her mother alone.
(d) She couldn’t take her mother along. [1]
Answer:
(a) Her mother was old and nearing death. Explanation: The poet was sad after looking at her mother as she could see the signs of ageing and weakness on her face. Her mother was nearing death. Hence, (a) is the right answer.
(C) Choose the correct meaning of the term ‘corpse’.
(a) Old foce
(b) Dead body
(c) Wrinkles
(d) Lazy body [1]
Answer:
(b) Dead body
(D) The narrator’s mother looked like a corpse because:
(a) She had wrinkles on her face.
(b) Her face was pale and lifeless due to old age.
(c) She was sleeping welL
(d) She had a dull complexion. [1]
Answer:
(b) Her face was pale and lifeless due to old age.
(E) Identify the tone of the poem towards the end. [1]
Answer:
Gloomy
(F) What do you understand by the phrase ‘Ashen f£ice’?
(a) Face is dull and tanned.
(b) Face is foil of dark spots.
(c) Face is foil of wrinkles.
(d) Face is pale and lifeless. [1]
Answer:
(d) Face is pale and lifeless.
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)
By the time I actually set foot on the Antarctic continent I had been travelling over 100 hours in combination of a car, an aeroplane and a ship; so, my first emotion on facing Antarctica’s expansive white landscape and uninterrupted blue horizon was relief, followed up with an immediate and profound wonder. Wonder at its immensity, its isolation, but mainly at how there could ever have been a time when India and Antarctica were part of the same landmass.
(A) Identify the feeling of the author as expressed in the extract. [1]
Answer:
The author in the extract says she had ‘a profound wonder’ on seeing the white landscape. This means that she was bemused or amazed.
(B) Choose the best synonym for ‘profound’.
(a) Wisely understood
(b) Keenly managed
(c) Sagely thoughtful
(d) Deeply heartfelt [1]
Answer:
(d) Deeply heartfelt
Explanation: Profound means something that is deeply heartfelt. Only option (d) conveys this sense. Hence, it is the correct answer. Options (a), (c) and (d) do not convey the correct meaning. Hence, they are incorrect
(c) Choose the option that represents Antarctica.
(a) green fields
(b) tourist spot
(c) barren land
(d) covered in ice [1]
Answer:
(d) covered in ice
(D) Complete the given analogy correctly with a word.
immensity: size:: isolation: ……………….. [1]
Answer:
condition
Explanation: Immensity indicates the size. Isolation indicates the condition.
OR
Right at the start, it is imperative to disclose a matter of vital importance about the Tiger King. Everyone who reads of him will experience the natural desire to meet a man of his indomitable courage face-to-face. But there is no chance of its fulfilment As Bharata said to Rama about Dasaratha, the Tiger King has reached that final abode of all living creatures. In other words, the Tiger King is dead.
(A) Which of the following words does NOT mean ‘imperative’?
(a) ancillary
(b) essential
(c) necessary
(d) indispensable [1]
Answer:
(a) ancillary
Explanation: Options (b), (c) and (d) are synonyms of ‘imperative’ and mean ‘crucial’. Therefore, they are not the correct answer. Only option (a) means its opposite, ‘unnecessary’. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
(B) Identify the tone of the narrator in the extract. [1]
Answer:
satirical
Explanation: The tone of the extract is satirical since the author says that everyone who has read about the Tiger King would want to meet him. After reading the story of the mercurial king, no one would want to meet him.
(C) The author refers to the ‘Mahabharata’ to ………………
(a) lighten the tone of the story by adding a comic detail.
(b) contrast the sublime epic with this banal story.
(c) bring in a touch of seriousness to this story.
(d) locate this story in age of the Mahabharata. [1]
Answer:
(b) contrast the sublime epic with this banal story
Explanation: The Mahabharata is a sublime epic about good, evil and everything in between. The Tiger King’s story is about a moody king who killed tigers to prove astrologers wrong. Kalki, the writer, wanted to bring out the contrast between the two. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
(D) Select the option that shows the correct literary device as used in the line ‘reached that final abode of all living creatures’.
(a) Imagery
(b) Euphemism
(c) Epigram
(d) Synecdoche [1]
Answer:
(b) Euphemism
Explanation: ‘To reach the final abode of all living creatures’ means to die. A euphemism is used here to soften the blow – of the notion of death. Hence, option (b) 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)
Sophie’s father was scooping shepherd’s pie into his mouth as hard as he could go, his plump face still grimy and sweat – marked from the day.
“She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?’ said little Derek, hanging on the back of his father’s chair. ‘
Their mother sighed.
Sophie watched her back stooped over the sink and wondered at the incongruity of the delicate bow which fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The evening had already blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy from the stove and cluttered with the heavy¬breathing man in his vest at the table and the dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went to look for her brother, Geoff.
(A) Choose the option that shows the correct ‘status’ of Sophie’s family from the given extract.
(a) premium class
(b) high-middle class
(c) labour class
(d) below poverty class [1]
Answer:
(c) labour class
Explanation: From the extract it can be inferred that Sophie’s father is sweaty from the day, the room is small, the mother is working hard over the sink and they think a lot about money which shows that they belong to g labour class. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
(B) Sophie’s father could be having a ………………. job. [1]
Answer:
physically tough
(C) Which of the following words can SUBSTITUTE the term ‘incongruity’?
(a) discrepancy
(b) harmony
(c) consistency
(d) accord [1]
Answer:
(a) discrepancy
Explanation: ‘Incongruity’ means a mismatch, a discrepancy. So, option (a) is the correct answer. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect options because they are the antonyms of ‘incongruity’, meaning consistency. Hence, (a) is the right answer
(D) Sophie’s family seemed to be ………………… from her. [1]
Answer:
tired
Explanation: In the extract, when Sophie walked into her house, her brother made that comment about money, her mother sighed, and her father continued to eat They appeared tired of Sophie.
(E) What does the phrase ‘blacked in the windows’ mean?
(a) It was turning dark.
(b) The windows were dirty.
(c) The windows had a black film on them.
(d) Nothing appeared through the glass. [1]
Answer:
(a) It was turning dark.
(F) Sophie felt a ‘tightening in her throat’.
This means that Sophie was ……………….
(a) excited
(b) suffocated
(c) nervous
(d) scared [1]
Answer:
(b) suffocated
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) Select the option that states the correct contradiction in H.G. Wells’ attitude towards the interview.
(a) He was a writer who was also an interviewer.
(b) He thought it was an ordeal yet 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:
(b) That 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) Identify Saul Bellow’s feelings about being interviewed by choosing the right option.
(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) Choose the word that explains 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) List a correct antonym of ‘drawback’. [1]
Answer:
benefit
Explanation: ‘Drawback’ means a ‘disadvantage’ so benefit is an antonym.
(E) H.G. Wells was a ‘frequent interviewee’.
This means that he used to give ……………….. [1]
Answer:
regular interviews
(F) What can be drawn from 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) Saheb’s name had a grebt meaning which was quite ironical to him. Comment. [2]
(B) According to the office boy, Subbu had a big advantage. What was the ‘advantage’? [2]
(C) How is total inactivity on Earth in winter months still has life? [2]
(D) Aunt Jennifer had a ‘massive weight of uncle’s wedding band’. Justify. [2]
(E) Why did the crofter show his thirty Kronors to the peddler? [2]
(F) How did M. Hamel display his love for his language to the students? [2]
Answer:
(A) Saheb’s full name was Saheb-e-alam which means the lord of the universe. However, it was quite ironical to what he actually does. He was a ragpicker who used to search garbage for a living. He didn’t even have a pair of slippers to wear.
(B) According to the office boy, Subbu had a big advantage of being born into a Brahmin family. Other than that, Subbu was in no way superior to the office boy as per the latter’s belief. The office thought that Subbu got work opportunities only due to his high caste.
(C) According to the poet in ‘Keeping Quiet’, in winter months everything seems to be inactive and dead. However, there is still life going on underneath the silence. For instance, a seed that seems to be still and dead in winters, grow into a healthy tree later.
(D) Aunt Jennifer had a ‘massive weight’ of her wedding ring on her finger due to the ordeals and responsibilities of her marriage with an abusive man. Uncle had traumatised Aunt and kept her oppressed in her entire married life. Aunt felt under a huge weight of her wedding liabilities towards her husband.
(E) The crofter showed the peddler his hard- earned thirty Kronors just to tell him how much he can still earn even after his retirement Also, the crofter felt like the peddler didn’t believe him, so he proved it to him by revealing the notes to him. This act of the crofter showed his trust in the peddler too.
(F) Hamel displayed his love towards his French language by telling them that French is the most clearest and logical language in the world. It is the most beautiful language in the world. He also wrote ‘Vive La France’ which means ‘long live France’ on the board.
Question 11.
Attempt ANY TWO out of the three questions given below, in 40-50 words each. (2 x 2 = 4)
(A) Why was the Maharaja once in danger of losing his kingdom? [2]
(B) “I felt like sinking to the floor”. Comment on the tone of Zitkala-Sa in the given line. [2]
(C) Charley wasn’t able to get to Galesburg via the third leveL State with a rationale. [2]
Answer:
(A) The Maharaja was once in danger of losing his kingdom because of a British officer. The officer wanted to shoot a tiger in Maharaja’s kingdom but the latter didn’t allow him to do it nor did he allow him to take a picture with the dead tiger. This lend Maharaja into a big trouble.
(b) Zitkala-Sa said the given line when she felt so ashamed and embarrassed while her shawl was removed from her shoulders due to her clinging dress.
(C) The third level at the Grand Central Railway Station didn’t exist It was just a way to escape the reality by Charley as he only imagined it However, when Charley gathered some old currency notes to go buy the tickets to Galesburg, he couldn’t find the third level again as it didn’t exist
Question 12.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words.
‘The Rattrap’ is a story that low-key focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Justify.
OR
After a long session of dilemmas, Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers. What according to you was important for Gandhiji – the amount refunded or the damaged British prestige? [5]
Answer:
Human being is a social animal that requires to communicate with others in order to learn, teach, grow and spread love. No human can live a serene life if he is isolated. Similarly, in the story ‘The Rattrap’, we see three incidences where the consequences are due to human’s loneliness. First of all, the rattrap seller, who came up with a thought that this world is a rattrap itself in the form of riches. It lures human beings with the help of money, materials and joys as baits.
People, who try to get this worldly happiness, get trapped and lost inside it forever. He had this negative relevation because he was lonely man who was left with his thoughts alone. Next was the lonesome retired crofter who craved for a human company. It was because of the desire of having a friend that made the crofter trust a complete stranger.
He showed his private earnings to the peddler and as a result, lost all his earnings to him. In the end, we also find that the ironmaster and his daughter were lonely. They had nobody to spend their Christmas Eve with, so, they insisted that the peddler should spend Christmas Eve with them even after knowing that he was a thief.
OR
Gandhiji was so determinant to get justice for the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He fought the case on behalf of them. He , submitted such strong evidences of the injustice meted out to the sharecroppers that the British had to agree to the refund. Gandhiji asked for a refund of 50% but the British agreed to only repay 25% as they wanted to prolong the dispute between them.
To everybody’s surprise, Gandhiji agreed to accept the 25% of return. For him, the amount of money was not important What was important was the fact that the British had to surrender a part of their money and moreover, their ‘prestige’. This repay shattered British’s pride of ruling the country unjustly.
Question 13.
Attempt ANY ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words.
Why did the Tiger King decide to kill a hundred tigers? Describe the efforts he made to attain his target.
OR
Imagine Zitkala-Sa and Bama meet each other. They both share their experience of being firom marginalised communities. They reflect on instances of oppression they faced and how those instances proved to be the source of strength to fight against such oppression.
Write down their discussion in a creative way, with reference to their experiences. [5]
Answer:
When the future Tiger King was born, the astrologers made a prediction that he would one day die at the hands of a tiger. This shaped the whole Tiger King’s life. He grew up and killed his first tiger and showed the dead beast to the State astrologer. The state astrologer said that the king can kill ninety-nine tigers but he has to be afraid of the hundredth one.
To get started on his hundred tigers, the king banned hunting by anyone but him. He bribed a high-ranking British officer for everyone diamonds from a famous British jewellery store in Calcutta. After he exhausted Pratibandapuram’s tiger by hunting seventy tigers in ten years he used marriage as a political tool to get access to another state’s tiger population.
His own Dewan saheb sneaked a tiger into his presence to help him reach his count of hundred. That backfired since the bullet missed the tiger and only caused him to faint but his minions hushed it up afraid that the king would be angry.
OR
Native American author Zitkala-Sa and Indian Dalit author Bama are in conversation.
Zitkala-Sa: Hello! I have read your
autobiography, ‘Karukku’.
Bama: Thank you. I have read your article, The Cutting of My Long Hair’.
Zitkala-Sa: Thanks. We have much in common. Bama: Indeed, both of us come from disadvantaged communities.
Zitkala-Sa: That’s right. Though our experiences are vastly different..
Bama… but the indignity and humiliation are the same no matter where we live.
Zitkala-Sa: My indignity was having my long hair cut to fit into some other culture’s mould of who I should be
Bama: I have witnessed indignity when I saw the elder from my community walk and hand over that packet of vadai to the landlord. My brother explained the significance later. It has directed my life. That is why I am an author today. To speak up against untouchability.
Zitkala-Sa: I can relate. My early experiences in that school made me protest about it later on. It also put me on the path to fight oppression.
Bama: That is why we need to educate ourselves well That is the only way out.
Zitkala-Sa: I cannot agree more.