SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER
ENGLISH
CLASS-XII
Time allowed: 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks-80
General Instructions:
1. Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
i. This question paper has 13 questions. All questions are compulsory.
ii. This question paper contains three sections:
Section A: Reading Skills,
Section B: Creative Writing Skills
Section C: Literature
iii. Attempt all questions based on specific instructions for each part. Write the
correct question number and part thereof in your answer sheet.
iv. Separate instructions are given with each question/part, wherever necessary.
SECTION-A
(READING SKILLS)
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
(A) What do we typically do when we find our children doing something we don't
approve of? We become reactive parents. Often, we pepper our reactions with lectures.
When it doesn't work and predictably so we end up screaming and dole out a
punishment. And our children react with anger, resentment or 'can't-be-bothered'
attitude.
(B) Buddhist Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh put it beautifully when he described how
each child has both negative seeds of anger, despair, hatred, fear and violence- and
wholesome seeds- of love, happiness, compassion and forgiveness. According to him,
what will blossom depends on the seeds we nurture.
(C) A parenting and educational approach that's gaining a large following
internationally, called the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) by Howard Glasser, is very
much in keeping with this Zen approach. The three main aspects of this approach are:
Refuse to energize negativity.
Relentlessly energize their positives.
Reset Do not react negatively and stay calm when the child does something
wrong.
Parents following this approach commit to not saying or doing anything that may fuel
negativity in the child. But the parent has to make sure she/he does this very calmly,
without any anger or resentment.
(D) While on a mission to cut the negative, the parent looks for every opportunity to
energize the positive in the child. This is done through persistently appreciating the
goodness in the child in the smallest of ways: You were really generous about sharing
your pizza with your sister; I appreciate the hard work you have put in your project; It
takes courage to stand up to a bully. If you observe, the appreciation is not about saying
"excellent", "amazing" or "good", which is really an empty praise and does not speak
much to the child. Qualifying praise, on the other hand, gives the child direction and
she/he begins to understand what qualities, values and strengths are appreciated. These
are also necessary ingredients of life skills and success.
(E) This approach is not merely about noticing when the child is being good, it is about
recognizing the child's worth at every step. It's about aligning his energy in believing
that he has great qualities, which are being identified and validated by the parents at
every step. He realizes that there is no point choosing negativity, as there are no pay-
offs in it. So, start building your child's inner wealth - there is nothing to lose.
Answer the following questions, based on the given passage:
(i) ‘we end up screaming and dole out punishment’ (1)
In the above sentence, the author criticizes the approach of the parents who are-
a. Protective b. Supportive
b. Reactive d. Deceptive
(ii) When and how do parents become reactive to their children. (1)
(iii) In the line 'what will bloom will depend on the seeds we nurture’. What seeds does
the author refer to- (1)
(a) Seasonal seeds (b) Societal news
(c) Parental attitude (d) Latent seeds
(iv) Describe the three main aspects of NHA approach? (2)
(v) How can parents appreciate the goodness of the child at every opportunity? (2)
(vi) In paragraph 5, in what way does 'This approach' differ from the earlier
approach? (2)
(vii) Give an example of appreciating the goodness in the child in the smallest of ways
from the passage? (1)
(viii) The phrase 'to cut the negative' in para 4 nearly means: (1)
(A) to reduce wasteful expenditure
(B) to stop criticizing
(C) to eliminate challenges
(D) to humiliate someone
(ix) Which word is similar to the word ‘appreciate’- (1)
a. amaze b. praise
c. motivate c. none of these
2. Read the following instructions very carefully and strictly follow them:
In recent years, the habit of reading among high school students has seen a steady
decline. The advent of digital media, social media platforms, and the easy access to
online video content has contributed significantly to this decline. According to a recent
survey conducted by the National Education Research Institute (NERI), only 30% of
students read books for pleasure, while 60% of students prefer online content.
Furthermore, the reading habits among students who belong to urban areas are
noticeably different from those in rural areas. The survey data reveals that in urban
areas, 40% of students engage in digital reading, while only 15% read physical books.
On the other hand, in rural areas, 25% of students read physical books, while just 10%
engage in digital reading.
The decline in reading habits is alarming as reading improves comprehension,
vocabulary, and critical thinking. Educational experts have expressed concern over how
this shift might impact the intellectual and emotional development of students in the
long run. To counter this, schools are incorporating technology-based reading platforms,
organizing reading marathons, and initiating peer group discussions to encourage
students to read more.
Graph:
Type of Reading Urban Students (%) Rural Students (%)
Physical Books 15% 25%
Digital Reading 40% 10%
Other online content 45% 65%
(i)-What percentage of urban students engage in digital reading? (1)
a) 10% b) 15% c) 40% d) 25%
(ii)-According to the passage, what has contributed to the decline in reading habits? (1)
a) The rise of digital media and online content
b) Lack of availability of books
c) Poor school infrastructure
d) None of the above
(iii)-Which of the following is not mentioned as a way schools are promoting reading? (1)
a) Organizing reading marathons
b) Introducing mobile games
c) Using technology-based reading platforms
d) Peer group discussions
(iv)-What is the primary concern expressed by educational experts in the passage? (1)
a) Lack of resources in schools
b) Decline in students' physical health
c) Impact of reduced reading on intellectual development
d) Digital addiction among students
(v)-Which type of content is most preferred by rural students? (1)
(vi)-Mention one-way schools are encouraging reading habits. (1)
(vii)-What are the key differences between reading habits in urban and rural students
as per the passage? (2)
(viii)-Why are educational experts concerned about the decline in reading habits among
students? (2)
SECTION-B
Creative Writing
3. You are Bala/Bandhini, school counsellor of Bala Vidyagram school, Dharti Bagh.
Your school is organising a Career Counselling Fair. Write a notice encouraging
students to attend the fair. Mention the benefits and include necessary details.
(word limit : 50) (4)
OR
Your school is organising a tour to Mumbai and Goa during the winter vacation. Write a
notice giving detailed information to the students. You are Madhav/Madhuri, School
pupil leader, Anant Prakash Senior Secondary School, Nainital. (word limit :50)
4. You are the President, Literary Society of Hans Public School, Railpura. Draft a
formal invitation to the renowned author, Ms. Savita Patil, requesting her to conduct a
workshop on Creative Writing in your school. Invent necessary details. You are
Anita/Amit. (word limit :50) (4)
OR
You have been invited to a close friend's wedding. Write an informal letter expressing
your excitement and gratitude for the invitation. Create an appropriate reply accepting
the invitation. Invent necessary details. (word limit :50)
5. You have noticed many stray animals on the road during the busy hours of the day.
These animals have caused traffic jam as well as accidents. You have already written to
the concerned authorities but no action has been taken so far. Write a letter to the
Editor of a daily newspaper telling him about the nuisance created by the stray animals.
You are Karan/Kavita of DPS Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. (5)
OR
You are Nandini/Naveen. You saw the given advertisement in the newspaper and wish
to apply for the position advertised. Write a letter in 120-150 words to S.D Public
School, Roorkee, along with your bio-data, expressing your interest in the post
advertised.
S.D PUBLIC SCHOOL
Roorkee
Phone no: +91xxxxxxxxxx Email:sdpublicschool@[Link]
URGENTLY REQUIRED
POST QUALIFICATION
1) TGT English Age Limit 22-42 Years
As per C.B.S.E MA English, [Link], CTET/TET Qualified
fluent in English
minimum 5 years of teaching experience
* Please apply on format on school’s website along with attested copies of required documents to the
Principal, S.D Public School, Roorkee by 02 Nov, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
6. Recently your school celebrated world Literacy Day and you arranged a programme
'Each One-Teach One'. Write a report in 120-150 words for your school [Link]
are Kumar/Kiran of New Public School, Delhi. (5)
OR
Water is very precious. Some scientist even go to the extent of saying that the third
world war may be fought on the issue of water. Keeping in the view the need for saving
each drop of water, write an article in 120-150 words. You are Reena/Rohan, a resident
of Dehradun.
SECTION-C
Literature
7. Read the following extracts and answer the questions on either one of the two given
options:(a) or (b) : (6x1=6)
(a) I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realized with pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away,
and looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes.
(i) Name the poem and the poet?
(ii) Who was sitting beside the poetess?
(iii) Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(A) Life is short and one must enjoy it (B) Ageing and Mortality
(C) Sleeping and Playing (D) Art of Parenting
(iv) What does the poetess notice about her mother?
(v) Why has her face been compared to a corpse?
(vi) Why does the poetess brought in the image of 'trees sprinting' and 'merry children
spilling'?
OR
(b) 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.
(i)Name the poem and the poet?
(ii) Which thing always increases according to the poet?
(iii)Why are beautiful things never forgotten?
(iv)What is the meaning of 'bower' in the stanza?
(v)Which of the following themes is best represented in the given extract?
(A) It provides security and peace.
(B) It lies in possession of expensive things
(C) It is synonymous with power and riches.
(D) It lies in our rich heritage and temples
(vi)What blessing do beautiful things offer us?
8. Read the two extracts given below and answer the questions on either one.
(4x1=4)
(a) The reason the programme has been so successful is because it is impossible to go
anywhere near the South Pole and not be affected by it. It’s easy to be blase about polar
ice caps melting while sitting in the comfort zone of our respective latitude and
longitude, but when you can visibly see glaciers retreating and ice shelves collapsing,
you begin to realise that the threat of global warming is real. Antarctica, because of her
simple eco-system and lack of biodiversity, is the perfect place to study how little
changes in the environment can have big repercussions.
(i) What was the reason for the success of the programme?
(ii) Why Antartica is a perfect place to study about environment?
(iii) Find the word similar to 'result' from the given passage.
(iv) Explain these lines “It’s easy to be blase about polar ice caps melting while sitting
in the comfort zone"
OR
From that day onwards it was celebration time for all the tigers inhabiting
Pratibandapuram. The State banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. A
proclamation was issued to the effect that if anyone dared to fling so much as a stone at
a tiger, all his wealth and property would be confiscated. The Maharaja vowed he
would attend to all other matters only after killing the hundred tigers. Initially the king
seemed well set to realise his ambition.
(i) What was the full name of The Tiger King?
(ii) What was the proclamation about the King?
(iii) Why did the King vowed to kill hundred tigers?
(iv) Which word is similar to 'Seize' in the passage?
9. Read the two extracts given below and answer the questions on either one.
(6x1=6)
(a) “Why do you do this?” I ask Saheb whom I encounter every morning scrounging for
gold in the garbage dumps of my neighbourhood. Saheb left his home long ago. Set
amidst the green fields of Dhaka, his home is not even a distant memory. There were
many storms that swept away their fields and homes, his mother tells him. That’s why
they left, looking for gold in the big city where he now lives. “I have nothing else to do,”
he mutters, looking away. “Go to school,” I say glibly, realizing immediately how hollow
the advice must sound. “There is no school in my neighbourhood. When they build one, I
will go.”
(i) Who was Saheb?
(ii) What does the expression ‘scrounging for gold’ refers to?
(iii) Where Saheb has come from?
(iv) Why does the author’s advice sound hollow?
(v) The expression ‘when they build one, I will go’ indicates Saheb _______ to go to
school.
(vi) Why did Saheb's family left their home?
OR
(b) Their spontaneous demonstration, in thousands, around the courthouse was the
beginning of their liberation from fear of the British. The officials felt powerless without
Gandhi's corporation. He helped them regulate the crowd. He was polite and friendly.
He was giving them concrete proof that their might, hitherto dreaded and unquestioned,
could be challenged by Indians. The government was baffled. The prosecutor requested
the judge to postpone the trial. Apparently, the authorities wished to consult their
superiors.
(i) What was the result of the Motihari peasants demonstration?
(ii) Where did Gandhi go to solve the problem of sharecroppers?
(iii) Who wrote the chapter 'Indigo'?
(iv) Why did the prosecutor requested the judge to postpone the trial?
(v) Who helped the government to regulate the crowd?
(vi) Select a word from the passage for 'the act of delaying something':
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words: (5x2 = 10)
a) What will counting upto twelve and keeping still help us achieve?
b) How and why does Keats relate ‘mighty dead’ to the ‘Thing of Beauty’?
c) What is the plea of folk who had put up the roadside stand?
d) What was more tempting for Franz than the rule for participles? Did he get
tempted?
e) What forces conspire to keep the workers in the bangle industry of Firozabad in
poverty?
f) How was there a great deal of national integration in the make-up department?
11. Answer ANY TWO of the following six questions, in about 40-50 words: (2x2 =4)
a) How did the hundredth tiger take its final revenge upon the tiger King?
b) What is that draws Derry towards Mr. Lamb in spite of himself?
c) What advice did Bama's brother give her so that she might overcome the
humiliation of being born an untouchable?
12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 120 -150 words: (5x1=5)
(a)'A Thing of Beauty' and 'A Roadside Stand' are poetic expressions of human
relationships. The first engages with nature while the latter highlights the individual's
place in society. Describe with reference to the two poems.
OR
b) The lesson "The Rattrap" is both entertaining and philosophical. Are you agree with
the statement? Give reasons.
13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions in 120 -150 words: (5x1=5)
a) In the story 'The Third Level' reality and fantasy are interwoven. Justify.
OR
b) "There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as
private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty". Discuss with
reference to the story 'The Enemy'.
