Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 2 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Term 2 Set 2 with Solutions
General Instructions :
- The Question Paper contains THREE sections-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
- Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Time : 2 Hours
Max. Marks : 40
Section-A
Reading
Question 1.
Read the passage given below.
1. The world may look to South Korea as a model for education – its students rank among the best on international education tests – but the system’s dark side casts a long shadow. South Korean education produces ranks of overachieving students who pay a stiff price in health and happiness.
2. Cram schools known as ‘hagwons’ in Korean – are a mainstay of the South Korean education system and a symbol of parental yearning to see their children succeed at all costs. Hagwons are soulless facilities, with room after room divided by thin walls, lit by long fluorescent bulbs, and stuffed with students memorising English vocabulary, Korean grammar rules and math formulas.
3. This “investment” in education is what has been used to explain South Koreans’ spectacular scores on the Program for International Student Assessment, increasingly the standard by which students from all over the world are compared to one another.
4. Granted, the South Korean system has its strengths. The idea that success is most important, no matter the cost, is a great motivator. But a system driven by overzealous parents and a leviathan private industry is unsustainable over the long run, especially given the physical and psychological costs that students are forced to bear.
5. Many young South Koreans suffer physical symptoms of academic stress. Students are also inclined to see academic performance as their only source of validation and self-worth. Not surprisingly, South Korea’s position in the international education hierarchy is flipped when it comes to youth happiness, with only 60 per cent of the country’s students confessing to being content in school, compared with an average of 80 per cent, in 2012, among the world’s wealthy nations.
6. Korean culture’s special focus on the family unit is also a major factor. Many parents believe that their right to decide their children’s future is sacrosanct. To be a South Korean child ultimately is not about freedom, personal choice or happiness; it is about production, performance and obedience.
7. Despite decades of outright abuse and the entrenchment of this disturbing system, signs are emerging that some people are beginning to take reform seriously. In the course of coming to terms with the legacy of dictatorial rule, South Koreans have embraced the notion of “healing,” with the understanding that past political repression and continuing social pressure have psychological ills that require redress. That trend has led to discussion of the detrimental effects the education system has on students and what should be done.
8. But to effect any meaningful change in education, a culture that treats its children as a commodity to be used in the service of the family or the national economy, must be radically altered. The government must cease viewing children as mere cogs in the country’s economy with no right to personal happiness.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIGHT questions from the nine given below.
i. Why is South Korea considered a model for education?
Answer:
South Korea is considered a model for education because its students rank among the best on international education tests.
ii. Cite a point in evidence, from the text, to suggest that the South Korean obsession with grades is not justified.
Answer:
Many young South Koreans suffer physical symptoms of academic stress. Students are also inclined to see academic performance as their only source of validation and self-worth.
iii. What is South Korea’s position in the international education hierarchy with respect to its youth happiness?
Answer:
South Korea’s position in the international education hierarchy with respect to the youth happiness is that only 60 per cent of the country’s students are content in school.
iv. State any one trait of the Korean society that is evident from paragraphs 6-8 and provide a reason for your choice.
Answer:
Korean society is heavily image driven, where parents curate the choices of their children’s career. The Korean government also views children as mere cogs in the country’s economy with no right to personal happiness.
v. Rewrite the given sentence by replacing the underlined phrase with another one, from paragraphs 3-4. The scientists had to find the vaccine to cure the pandemic, no matter what difficulty was involved.
Answer:
The scientists had to find the vaccine to cure the pandemic, no matter the cost.
vi. What is the Program for International Student Assessment?
Answer:
The Program for International Student Assessment is the benchmark to measure the standard of students’ education in a country.
vii. What are hagwons?
Answer:
Cram schools are known as hagwons in Korean. They are soulless facilities, with room after room divided by thin walls, lit by long fluorescent bulbs, and stuffed with students memorising English vocabulary, Korean grammar rules and math formulas.
viii. Select a suitable phrase from paragraphs 1-2 to complete the following sentence appropriately.
Celebrities have to be extra careful in the world of social media because often their maligned past over their good deeds.
Answer:
Celebrities have to be extra careful in the world of social media because often their maligned past casts a long shadow over their good deeds.
ix. What does the use of the phrase ‘sacrosanct’ suggest in the context of the Korean parent’s viewpoint about their children’s career?
Answer:
Korean culture’s special focus is on the family status. Thus, parents deem it too important and special a decision to be left on their child to decide their future.
Question 2.
Read the passage given below.
1. One can define economic growth as the increase in the inflation-adjusted market value of the goods and services produced by an economy over time. Statisticians conventionally measure such growth as the percent rate of increase in real gross domestic product or real GDP.
2. Growth is usually calculated in real terms – i.e., inflation-adjusted terms – to eliminate the distorting effect of inflation on the prices of goods produced. Measurement of economic growth uses national income accounting. Since economic growth is measured as the annual percent change of gross domestic product (GDP), it has all the advantages and drawbacks of that measure. The economic growth rates of countries are commonly compared using the ratio of the GDP to population (per-capita income).
3. The, rate of economic growth, refers to the geometric annual rate of growth in GDP between the first and the last year over a period of time. This growth rate represents the trend in the average level of GDP over the period and ignores any fluctuations in the GDP around this trend.
4. Economists refer to an increase in economic growth caused by more efficient use of inputs (increased productivity of labour, of physical capital, of energy or of materials) as intensive growth. In contrast, GDP growth caused only by increases in the number of inputs available for use (increased population, for example, or new territory) counts as extensive growth.
5. Development of new goods and services also generates economic growth. As it so happens, in the U.S. about 60% of consumer spending in 2013 went on goods and services that did not exist in 1869. The economic growth rate is calculated from data on GDP estimated by countries’ statistical agencies. The rate of growth of GDP per capita is calculated from data on GDP and people for the initial and final periods included in the analysis of the analyst.
6. Living standards vary widely from country to country and furthermore the change in living standards over time varies widely from country to country. The table above shows GDP per person and annualised per person GDP growth for a selection of countries over a period of about 100 years. The GDP per person data are adjusted for inflation, hence they are real. GDP per person (more commonly called per capita GDP) is the GDP of the entire country divided by the number of people in the country; GDP per person is conceptually analogous to average income.
7. Seemingly small differences in yearly GDP growth led to large changes in GDP when compounded over time. For instance, in the above table, GDP per person in the United Kingdom in the year 1870 was $4,808. At the same time in the United States, GDP per person was $4,007, lower than the UK by about 20%. However, in 2008 the positions were reversed: GDP per person was $36,130 in the United Kingdom and $46,970 in the United States, i.e., GDP per person in the US was 30% more than it was in the UK. As the above table shows, this means that GDP per person grew, on average, by 1.80% per year in the US and by 1.47% in the UK. Thus, a difference in GDP growth by only a few tenths of a percent per year results in large differences in outcomes when the growth is persistent over a generation.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer ANY SIX questions out of the seven given below.
i. How do Statisticians measure economic growth?
Answer:
Statisticians conventionally measure economic growth as the percent rate of increase in real gross domestic product or real GDP.
ii. What can be concluded by an increased ‘Real GDP per person at end of period’, with reference to the given table?
Answer:
An increased ‘Real GDP per person at end of period’ indicated an elevated annualised growth rate and the increased economic growth of that country.
iii. How is the rate of growth of GDP per capita is calculated?
Answer:
The rate of growth of GDP per capita is calculated from data on GDP and people for the initial and final periods included in the analysis of the analyst.
iv. The given table shows the GDP per person and annualised per person GDP growth for a selection of countries over a period of how many years?
Answer:
The given table covers the data about the GDP per person and annualised per person GDP growth for over 100 years.
v. What does the researcher mean by ‘real’ GDP per person data in paragraph 6?
Answer:
The GDP per person is conceptually analogous to average income, so GDP per person data is adjusted for inflation, hence they are real.
vi. Which country’s annualised growth rate is 2.05% according to the table given in the passage?
Answer:
Germany’s annualised growth rate is 2.05% according to the table given in the passage,
vii. Identify a term from paragraph 4 which explains the growth in the quantity of output produced based on the expansion of the quantity of inputs used.
Answer:
Extensive growth explains the growth caused only by increases in the number of inputs available for use.
Section-B
Writing
Question 3.
You are Gaurav/Garvita. You have been invited to attend the wedding function of your friend’s sister Amisha. Send a reply confirming your acceptance in about 50 words.
Answer:
1/27 Tank Road,
Pune
21st October, 20XX
Dear Anshuk,
I am so happy to hear the wonderful news of Amisha’s wedding. Thank you for the cordial invitation on the occasion of your sister’s wedding function. I will be delighted to attend the function as per the schedule.
Yours lovingly,
Gaurav/Garvita
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE from A and B given below.
A. You are Kushagra/Kushi, resident of 124, Rana Sanga Marg, New Delhi. You read an advertisement given by Milan University in ‘THE NEWS’ which requires a lecturer in Botany for their new campus at Chandigarh. Apply for the same in 120-150 words giving your bio-data separately.
|
Milan University Application from eligible, qualified and experienced candidates are invited for the post of Botany Lecturer for Chandigarh Campus. The application must be submitted in the prescribed format through e-mail at the recruit, mil.ac.in or before 20th January, 20XX. Hard copy must reach by 25th January, 20XX. |
OR
B. A massive fire due to short circuit gutted 50 odd shops in the congested area of Sadar Bazar in Delhi leading to loss of life and property. As a reporter with The Tribune write the report for the newspaper in 120-150 words.
- The fire erupted on the first floor at 5:00 a.m.
- Fire engines able to control the blaze by 7.30 a.m.
- Huge loss of property worth 2 crores.
- No one hurt.
- Government announced a compensation of 1,00,000 rupees.
Answer:
A. 124, Rana Sanga Marg
New Delhi-000 001
10th January, 20XX
The Principal
Milan University
New Delhi – 000 001
Subject – Application for the post of lecturer in botany
Sir/Madam,
In response to your advertisement in ‘The NEWS’ dated 4th January, 20XX for the post of Botany Lecturer in your new campus based in Chandigarh, I wish to offer my candidature.
I would like to bring to notice that I possess all the aforementioned qualities required for the post. I am enclosing a copy of my bio-data for your perusal and kind consideration. I am available for the interview on any day of your convenience. If given a chance to serve you, I assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity and dedication up to your satisfaction.
Thank you
Yours faithfully,
Kushagra/ Kushi
Enel:
(i) Bio-data
(ii) Testimonials
Bio Data
| Name | Kushagra/Kushi |
| Father’s Name | Om Agrawal |
| Date of Birth | 17th May, 1987 |
| Address | 124, Rana Sanga Marg, New Delhi 000 001 Phone : 98XXXXXXXX |
| E-Mail Address | [email protected] |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Educational Qualifications | (i) B.Sc. (Hons) Delhi University with 88% marks (ii) M.Sc. (Botany) Delhi University with 86% marks |
| Experience | 5 years as Botany Lecturer in Hansraj College |
| Languages | Good command over spoken and written English. |
| Hobbies | Reading and Travelling |
| References | 1. Sanjay Singh, Principal, Apeejay School, Delhi. Ph : XXXXXXXXXX 2. Rachna Sareen, HOD,Physics, Delhi University.Ph XXXXXXXXXX |
Looking forward to a favorable response.
Yours faithfully,
Kushagra/Kushi
OR
B. Massive Fire Broke Out in Sadar Bazaar
By XYZ, (The Tribune)
New Delhi, 20th May, 20XX: A huge fire broke out at a market place in old Delhi’s Sadar Bazar area on Wednesday evening. The fire erupted on the first floor of a building at 5:00 a.m., according to the sources of Delhi Fire Service.
Twenty fire engines immediately rushed to the site and after a brave fight and struggle they were able to control the blaze by 7.30 a.m. A fireman also sustained some severe bums and got his leg injured. Police sources say that the fire was caused due to short circuit and spread quickly surrounding the huts.
The furniture market is spread over 2,000 square yards and the fire had spread rapidly as a large amount of wood and plastic material was stored in the area. Nearly 50 shops were gutted in the fire in the congested area of Sadar Bazar in Delhi leading to huge loss of property.
Although the people were not hurt as the fire broke out early morning and the shops were closed. A call was received around 5:15 a.m. regarding the fire and immediately the Fire Department was informed.
However, Vinod Goyal, Director of the Delhi Fire Service, said: “We received the information at 5.25 a.m. and immediately, the fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze”. Total estimated loss is around 2 crores.
The government has announced a compensation of 1,00,000 rupees for damages of business and 50,000 for those who have lost their homes.
Section – C
Literature
Question 5.
Attempt ANY FIVE of the six questions given below, within 40 words each.
i. Do you think Evan’s statement, ‘I may surprise everybody’, has some special significance?
Answer:
Evans seemed to be telling his teacher that he might surprise everybody by doing well in the examination but in reality, it was a warning that he was going to jolt everybody by escaping from the prison which he had planned.
ii. According to the poem, Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, she chose to embroider tigers on the panel. Why do you think so?
Answer:
Aunt Jennifer chose to embroider tigers on the panel because of the nature of these ‘bright topaz denizens’. Aunt Jennifer is an artist who makes what she yearns the most. Her marriage has made her meek and subservient over the years, but her tigers symbolise strength and freedom which she does not have.
iii. What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to Edla?
Answer:
The peddler wrote to Edla that since she had treated him like a captain, he also wanted to be nice to her in return. He did not want her to be embarrassed at Christmas by a thief. He also requested her to return back the crofter’s money that he had stolen.
iv. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and suffering? Answer with reference to the poem, A Thing of Beauty.
Answer:
The poet says that the beautiful things on earth lift the pall off our spirits and make life worth living. Each beautiful thing is like a link that form a chain or wreath that bind us to the earth. The beautiful things in nature like the moon, the sun, the trees, the ferns and the daffodils bring happiness and reduce human’s sufferings.
v. “I’m not fond of curtains shutting things out” says Mr. Lamb. What does this reveal about his personality?
Answer:
Mr. Lamb did not allow his physical disability to crush his openness and large-heartedness. He kept his house and heart open for people, he kept the gate of his garden open and anybody could enter it. He did not believe in shutting things out or disconnecting himself from the people. This reveals that Mr. Lamb was a man with positive attitude.
vi. Why did Gandhiji say-: “The battle of Champaran is won”?
Answer:
The lawyers had decided to go home, if Gandhiji went to prison. But Gandhiji asked them what would become of the injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers thought over it and decided that they too would follow Gandhiji. This was the time that when Gandhiji said that the battle of Champaran was won.
Question 6.
Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120-150 words each.
i. The lesson Indigo highlights the qualities of leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to secure justice for the oppressed people through argumentation and negotiation. Getting a clue from the way Mahatma Gandhi dealt with the Champaran episode, write an article on ‘What makes a Good Leader?’
Answer:
Leadership is the process by which a leader directs, guides and influences the work of others in choosing and attaining specified goals by mediating between the individuals and the conflicting organisation in such a manner as will satisfy both. A leader may not be physically strong but he needs to be mentally strong and firm in decisions.
For example, Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest of our leaders, had the power of organising, uniting and attracting people towards him with the power of his intelligence and alertness. A leader has to use his / her brain every time and has to remain alert with eyes and ears open, to avoid being carried away by any fraud or an enemy.
Apart from being impartial, a leader needs to be action-oriented. A leader should be effective enough towards himself and encourage everyone through his word to do constructive work while walking on the right path so that everyone can become aware of his / her rights and duties. A leader has to be dedicated. He does whatever it takes to be a role model in every sense of the word.
ii. What kind of person was Jack as a father?
Answer:
Jack had a four-year-old daughter named Jo whom he loved very much. He was a considerate and affectionate father who made sincere efforts to gratify his daughter’s creative intellect. He used to narrate a story to her each day. He had been doing this as a customary for the past two years when she was only two years old.
He himself had a very creative mind and nearly all the stories he told were creations of his own mind, each new story being a slight variation of a basic tale. Jack had mastered the art of story-telling and could create new stories to suit the mood and occasion.
He was able to create the preferred outcome to keep his daughter Jo’s interest unharmed as he understood her very pulse, Jack was always full of creative zeal; many times, he even mimicked the voices of the characters in his stories too. Jack was a very loving and caring father.
iii. In the poem- Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers, there is a contrast made between Aunt’s creation and herself. Summarise this according to the poet’s perspective.
Answer:
In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’, a woman expresses her suppressed feelings through her art. Aunt Jennifer is the victim of the male-dominated society. She has no one to talk about her mental and physical pain. She does an embroidery of graceful and powerful tigers to convey her deep feelings.
They are set in motion and they are shown moving quickly in a chivalrous manner. In the green jungle, they look free, bright, brave, fearless and magnificent. There are men sitting under the tree, but the tigers do not care for them. They move on to their goal boldly and smoothly. Jennifer finds it difficult to make pictures by using the ivory needle.
She is tired of doing the household work after she got married. She can’t get i herself involved in her artistic work. She has to do it in her leisure time. Even then, she has to be sure whether her husband is watching her or not. So, her hands are terrified. She will not be free from fear until she dies. She will be dominated by her husband.
She will die, but her art will express her desire to move proudly and fearlessly like the tigers she has made. Unlike her fearless creation, Aunt Jennifer is a victim of fear and dominance.