English Core – CLASS XII
Assertion-Reasoning questions
Prose Section
1. The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
Q1.
Assertion (A): M. Hamel's last lesson reflects the painful consequences of losing one's
language and culture.
Reason (R): The schoolchildren are made to realize the value of the French language only
when they are forbidden to speak it due to the German occupation.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
3. The Tiger King by Kalki Krishnamurthy
Q3.
Assertion (A): The Maharaja's obsession with killing tigers is a symbol of his arrogance and
pride.
Reason (R): The Maharaja kills all the tigers except one and then ironically dies due to the
tiger’s skin, which he had kept as a trophy.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
4. Journey to the End of the Earth by Tishani Doshi
Q4.
Assertion (A): The poet’s journey to Antarctica signifies humanity's relentless pursuit of
knowledge and discovery.
Reason (R): The exploration of Antarctica helps to understand the significance of preserving
and respecting the environment.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
5. The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck
Q5.
Assertion (A): Dr. Sadao’s moral dilemma in the story centers around helping the enemy
soldier despite being a patriot.
Reason (R): Dr. Sadao helps the wounded American soldier because of his humanitarian
nature and belief in the value of life.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
Poetry Section
1. My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das
Q6.
Assertion (A): The poem “My Mother at Sixty-Six” deals with the theme of aging and
inevitable separation.
Reason (R): The poet expresses her anxiety about her mother’s frailty, which is further
emphasized by her comparison to "a dead body."
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
2. A Thing of Beauty by John Keats
Q7.
Assertion (A): Keats celebrates the permanence of beauty in his poem "A Thing of Beauty."
Reason (R): The poet claims that beautiful things provide lasting joy and peace to human
beings, transcending time and decay.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
3. Keeping Quiet by Pablo Neruda
Q8.
Assertion (A): Neruda in "Keeping Quiet" suggests that silence can bring about inner peace
and a sense of unity.
Reason (R): The poet advocates for stillness and introspection, where one can reflect on life
and recognize human interconnectedness.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
4. A Roadside Stand by Robert Frost
Q9.
Assertion (A): "A Roadside Stand" critiques the disparity between rural and urban life.
Reason (R): The poem reflects the poet’s sympathy for the rural poor, who are ignored and
dismissed by city dwellers and city authorities.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
d) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct
explanation of Assertion (A).
5.
