CHANDRABHAN SHARMA COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE AND COMMERCE

Powai Vihar Complex, Powai, Mumbai - 400076

PREMILINARY EXAMINATION

ENGLISH
Class: XII SCIENCE Marks: 80
Date: 25/03/2021 Duration: 3 hrs

SECTION 1: PROSE
Q1.A.Read the following passage and answer the questions given below: (12)
The eight-and-a-half-hour-long day inside the hide was as fruitful as the Jambha tree standing tall on the edge of
Umbarzara. Before wrapping up my day at this natural waterhole, I took entries of the avifauna in my field notes. Since I
was alone, I rushed to Pitezari village where I was stationed. I camouflaged the hide, took my essentials, came out of the
hide and stretched out to my heart’s content. I lifted my camera bag and took the familiar trail to Pitezari. Negotiating the
webbed leaves of Teakwood and Moha trees, trying to make minimal sound, I was treading cautiously among the woods.
Walking alone in a jungle needs more alertness than walking with a companion. I was alone here like a fox. Following the
trail silently, watching with wide-open eyes, my ears were grasping a variety of sounds just when a familiar sound stunned
me…‘Khyak! Khyak! KhyakoSS Khyak!’ It was a Langur alarm call. The leader of the gang of Langurs was sitting on the
tall tree making alarm calls out of fear for life. Rest of the Langur brigade continued raising the alarm calls. The network
of alarm calls was expanding its range as the petrified Langurs speeded to the trees near and far and secured their places
on treetops. All this upheaval was created by only one animal’s presence-a Leopard. Many animals make alarm calls when
they see a predator- Tiger or Leopard nearby. The Langur is most reliable when it comes to finding clues about the presence
of the apex predators in the jungle. The mighty elusive Leopard of Umbarzara was out of its lair. He was on the prowl.
The stealthily moving figure in spotted gold-black cloak was spied by these Langurs. Even the small ones from the legion
of Langurs were giving alarm calls.‘Chyak! Chyak!’I stayed put. Gauged the leader Langur’s target sight and scanned the
area visually. Took some steps. Stopped again. A fresh scat was lying before me on the trail. The bluish-purple flies were
hovering over it. I was sure that the Leopard was somewhere near. The distant alarm call of four-horned antelope was
adding to the chaos. I barely walked around 15 metres and stopped. I had apparently entered in the sanctum sanctorum of
a miracle called Leopard. But the big cat was not visible. It is an elusive animal. The surroundings were reminding me that
I was all alone time and again. As I moved forward on the trail to Pitezari, the fading alarm calls were still heard in the
background. I could tell instinctively that the Leopard had moved away.

Questions:
A1.
KHYAK-ALARM-CALL

Complete the above flow-chart stating the reactions of the petrified Langurs due to the presence of leopard. 2
A2. The langur is most reliable when it comes to finding clues about the presence of apex predators in the jungle.
Elaborate. 2
A3. Explain the line, “I was alone here like a fox. 2
A4. Imagine you are lost in a jungle and are in a similar situation as the writer. What thoughts could cross your mind in
such a terrifying situation? 2
A5. Guess the meaning of the following: 2
a. Upheaval
b. Hovering
A6. Do as directed: 2
a. The surroundings were reminding me. (Begin the sentence with the word ‘I’)
b. The langur is most reliable when it comes to finding clues about the presence of apex predators in the jungle.
Q1.B. Do as directed: 3
(i) One of _____ most common causes of malnutrition is ____ unhealthy lifestyle. (Fill in the blanks with appropriate
articles )
(ii )The police ______ Monday arrested five men _____cheating city businessmen.(Fill in the blanks with suitable
prepositions.)
(iii )”How did you enjoy your college picnic ?said Mohini to Meena. “It was wonderful. I can never forget it.” (Change it
into indirect speech.)
(iv) Chief Minister will decide the matter. (Spot the error) 1

Q2. A. Unseen passage

A. 1. Read the following statements and write down two statements which explain the theme of the extract.
12 marks
To sustain your development in absolute terms, to become a true somebody, it is important to remain a
temporal nobody. Even if destiny makes you a temporal somebody, you should be able to see yourself as merely an agent
of a superior power; no more. This requires an exercise of will. You have to constantly watch out and talk to yourself
morning and evening. Rahim, the Hindi poet, was a pious man, always keen to help the needy. He made no noise about
it, but his fame kept spreading. When praised by people, Rahim would shrink back in discomfort. He wrote a couplet on
this.
"Denewala aur hai, bhejat woh din-rain.
Log bharam hum par karen, neeche howat nain"

"The Giver is someone else; He showers His gifts through day and night. People mistake and extol me. My eyes,
abashed, are lowered!"

In more recent times, Gandhiji, perhaps, is one who assiduously brushed aside adulation to remain a free
''nobody''. At the Congress session when he, the star of the session, stunned everybody by cleaning up the latrines, his act
was calculated to purge Congress workers of their false sense of status, and so to return the movement to its down- to-
earth roots. The point of guarding against becoming a self-defeating somebody applies to the upbringing of children as
well. Doting parents often stunt the natural growth of their children through excessive adulation. Commonplace acts and
utterances of the child are praised and quoted beyond reason. Talent that otherwise might have flowered under proper
training, is lauded to the extent of killing it.

John Stuart Mill''s education and training began very early. At an age when many kids can barely lisp a few
words, he had learnt enough Greek and Latin to read the classics in the original. Before he was five he had read more
than what many scholars normally read in their career. Did this make the child John feel heady? No! Because, he tells us,
his father (who was also his tutor) always made him believe that there was nothing extraordinary about his achievement:
that he was doing only what anybody is capable of doing. Mill was made to believe that other boys of his age had, in
fact, grossly underestimated their capabilities and were wasting their early years striving for too little.

The sequence of somebody-nobody holds true, in a way, in respect of institutions and nations as well. C
Northcote Parkinson, enunciating one of his famous laws, has tried to read this pattern in the case of great empires
worldwide. He connects the raising of imposing palaces to the beginning of the empire's decline.

A. 2. Complete: [2]

Complete the following sentences.

(i) John Stuart Mill learn Greek and Latin in his early childhood because _______________

(ii) The writer comment on upbringing of children are_________________________________________________

A. 3. Conclusion: [2]

John Mill did not become heady after his spectacular achievement.

The sentence implies his father _____________ (Complete it in a paragraph.)

A. 4. Match the words in column 'A' with their meanings in column 'B': [2]

Column 'A' Column 'B'

(i) adulation (a) embarrassed

(ii) stunned (b) praised

(iii) purge (c) shocked

(iv) abashed (d) free

A. 5. Personal Response: [2]

"Parents showing a lot of love for their children kill their natural talent"
Agree / Disagree. Justify your answer.

A. 6. Grammar: [2]
Do as directed.
(i) He wrote a couplet. (Rewrite the sentence using the Past Perfect Tense in it.)

(ii) Many kids can barely lisp a few words. (Rewrite using another modal auxiliary showing certainty.)

Q2.B. Read the above passage and prepare a summary of it. 3

Q2.C. Develop A 'Mind MAPPING' FRAME / design to show the 'Benefits of GAMES AND
sports' to the students. You CAN TAKE the help of the following points in order to develop
EACH of them into further BRANCHES:
(Fitness AND STAMINA, TEAM spirit AND SPORTSMANSHIP, group BEHAVIOUR, killer's instinct, will
to win) 3

SECTION 2: POETRY
Q3.A. Read the following extract and answer the questions given below: 10
 When I had money, money, O!
I knew no joy till I went poor;
For many a false man as a friend
Came knocking all day at my door.
Then felt I like a child that holds
A trumpet that he must not blow
Because a man is dead; I dared
Not speak to let this false world know.
Much have I thought of life, and seen
How poor men’s hearts are ever light;
And how their wives do hum like bees
About their work from morn till night.
So, when I hear these poor ones laugh,
And see the rich ones coldly frown
Poor men, think I, need not go up
So much as rich men should come down.
When I had money, money, O!
My many friends proved all untrue;
But now I have no money, O!
My friends are real, though very few.

Question:
(A1) STATE whether the following STATEMENTS ARe True or FALSE. Correct the FALSE STATEMENTS
with the help of the poem. 2
(a) The poet knew no joy till he WAS rich.
(b) When poet HAD money, he HAD MANY true friends
(A2) Write the reason for the following: 2
Poor men’s wives hum like bees.
(A3) Poor men need not go up so much AS rich men should come down. Express your views
rEGARDING this STATEMENT. 2
(A4) GIVE EXAMPLE INVERSION AND SIMILE FROM THE POEM AND EXPLAIN IT. 2
(A5) Compose A SHORT poem on 'Friendship'. 2

Q3.B. Read the given extract and prepare an appreciation: 4

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
Did you give a cheerful greeting to the friend who came
along?
Or a churlish sort of “Howdy” and then vanish in the throng?
Were you selfish pure and simple as you rushed along the
way,
Or is someone mighty grateful for a deed you did today?
Can you say tonight, in parting with the days that’s slipping
fast,
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said;
Does a man whose hopes were fading now with courage look
ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God
would say,
You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did
today?

SECTION 3: WRITING SKILLS

Q4 Complete the activities as per instructions given below: (16 marks)

4.A. Complete any one of the activities as per instructions given below:
1. You ARe PRIYANKA, A PERSONAL ASSISTANT to Ms Sen. She WAS AWAY ATTENDING A meeting when
Mr GARG RANG up. You spoke to him AND jotted down his MESSAGE in your note- PAD.
DRAFT the MESSAGE for Ms Sen using the INFORMATION in your notes given below. 4

Mr GARg - RANG up - 5pm - HAS received the CDs AND the posters - coming tomorrow - to
THANK Ms Sen AND to PERSONALLY HAND over the cheque.
OR
2. You are highly passionate towards becoming a successful entrepreneur and therefore want to
peruse your higher education in “Business Management”. Your background and skills have
motivated you towards business and now you seek admission to accomplish a degree in “Business
Management” at a reputed university. Prepare a ‘statement of purpose’ in about 100 to 150 words,
which will help you to get admission to this University. 4
OR
3. There is AN inter-school cricket MATCH AND your school is losing. As you ARe the CAPTAIN,
HAVE A group discussion with your TEAMMATES in the TEA- brEAK ABOUT the STRATEGY to be
followed to SAVE your school from losing the MATCH. Give AT LEAST four/five suggestions:
4

4.B. Complete any one of the activities as per instructions given below:

1. As a member of your residential society, write an email to the inspector of local Police station,
Mr.Sharma, informing him about miscreants who ride their bikes rashly every evening outside your
society. Sign the email as William. 4
OR
2. Your state government has banned the use of plastic bags. You are Amarjeet, a reporter of The
National Herald. Write a report in 100-125 words on how the ban is being ignored and what damage
the indiscriminate use of plastic bags in causing to the environment. 4
OR
3. Imagine, you have to conduct an interview of a distinguished personality in the field of
entertainment. With the help of the given table and points draft questions on the given fields
associated with the personality. (Do not change the sequence of the questions) 4
 Name of the
interviewee
(distinguished
personality)

Area of Success /
Reputation
Date/Venue/Time
Duration of Interview
Question based on
1. Inspiration
2. Preparation
3. Development35
4. Teacher/Guide
5. Memorable
moments
6. Skills required
7. Performances
8. Do’s and Don’ts

4.C. Complete any one of the activities as per instructions given below:
1. Write a speech acquainting your class about the environment crisis that is worsening around the
world. 4
OR
2. Expand your ideas on the following topic: 4
Empty vessels make the most sound.

OR
3. Imagine that you have been entrusted to compere the ceremonial flag hoisting programme by your district
administration on the occasion of formal ‘Republic Day’ function at your district headquarters. Prepare a script for
compering of the ceremony with the help of following points. 4
Use some good thoughts and inspiring quotations.
✓ Introduction.
✓ Welcoming all the VIPs.
✓ Flag hoisting by the Guardian Minister.
✓ Speech by the Guardian Minister.
✓March past by the police and NCC troops.
✓Conclusion of the formal ceremony

4.D. Complete any one of the activities as per instructions given below:
1. As a part of the child film festival your college had arranged screening of some films made for the children. Write a
review of one of the films based on the theme of children with special needs. Use some of the points given below to
write your review. 4
✓ Title of the film and its importance.
✓ The star cast.
✓ The central idea of the film.
✓ Performance by the actors.
✓ Protagonist (Main character) of the film.
✓ The message given in the film.
✓ Your opinion and recommendations.

2. Write a blog on any one of the following topics: 4

1. Social dynamics
2. Communication skills
OR
3. Prepare an appeal for blood donation. 4

SECTION 5: NOVEL
Q5.A. Complete the activities given below as per instructions:
1.Complete the following STATEMENTS: 2
(i) The two types of conflicts THAT the plot MAY HAVE ARE......................
(ii) The EPISTOLARY novel presents the NARRATIVE through...................................
2.Write short notes on any one of the following: 2
a.Style of the novel
B.STREAM of consciousness novel
Q5.B. Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below:
1. What type of novel is ‘To Sir With Love’? Give brief explanation for your answer. 2
2. Explain in brief the theme of the novel ‘To Sir With Love’. 2
Q5.C. Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below:
1. Phileas Fogg is as cool as a cucumber whereas Passepartout is as crazy as loon. Explain the
statement by citing some references from the novel. 2
2. Importance of the Setting of London to the theme of the novel. 2
Q5.D. Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below:
1. Holmes is ALWAYS one step AHEAD of Dr. WATSON in solving CASES. ELUCIDATE. 2
2. Write the central idea of the given extract of the novel, “The Sign of Four’. 2