STD- XII SUBJECT- ENGLISH TIME-3.00 Hr
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SECTION I : PROSE
[Reading for Comprehension, Language Study, Summary, Mind
Mapping]
Q. 1. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities
given below: (12 Marks)
Punctually at midday he opened his
bag and spread out his professional equipment, which consisted of a dozen
cowrie shells, a square piece of cloth with obscure mystic charts on it, a
notebook, and a bundle of palmyra writing. His forehead was resplendent with
sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam
which was really an outcome of a continual searching look for customers, but
which his simple clients took to be a prophetic light and felt comforted. The
power of his eyes was considerably enhanced by their position placed as they
were between the painted forehead and the dark whiskers which streamed down his
cheeks: even a half-wit‟s eyes would sparkle in such a setting. To crown the
effect he wound a saffron-coloured turban around his head. This colour scheme
never failed. People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or
dahlia stalks. He sat under the boughs of a spreading tamarind tree which
flanked a path running through the Town Hall Park. It was a remarkable place in
many ways. A surging crowd was always moving up and down this narrow road from
morning till night. A variety of trades and occupations was represented all
along its way : medicine sellers, sellers of stolen hardware and junk,
magicians, and above all, an auctioneer of cheap cloth, who created enough din
all day to attract the whole town. Next to him in vociferousness came a vendor
of fried groundnut, who gave his ware a fancy name each day, calling it “Bombay
Ice Cream” one day and on the next “Delhi Almond,” and on the third “Raja‟s
Delicacy,” and so on and so forth, and people flocked to him. A considerable
portion of this crowd dallied before the astrologer too.
A 1) Global Understanding – 2 marks
Complete the web by filling the blanks with appropriate words
showing the exceptional qualities of the
A 2) Complex factual – 2
marks
An astrologer is described with help the descriptions about
his professional looking appearances.
Match the pairs by selecting such describing lines.
1. The power in eyes was due to.. 1. Sacred ash and vermilion.
2. On his forehead, there was 2. the position between the painted
forehead and the dark whiskers.
3. He wears. 3. Abnormal
gleam in his eyes.
4. There was a sharp 4. a saffron- coloured
turban.
A 3) Inference / Interpretation /
Analysis – 2
marks
Choose any 2 correct statements which shows that the
astrologer got the benefits of seating right next to the groundnut vendor.
1. There was the presence of magician near
the astrologer.
2. People were attracted due to fancy
names given to the groundnuts by the groundnut vendor.
3. The customers of the ground vendor
dallied near the astrologer with the temptation of consulting with him.
4. The astrologer uses magic with the
sacred ash on the customers to attract them.
A 4) Personal response - 2
marks
Scientific awareness guides us to consider that the planets
& constellations didn’t affect our life situations. Do you agree with this statement?
Share your opinion regarding this statement.
1. Choose
the correct sentence which uses the correct usage of the noun form of the
underlined word.
The power of his eyes was
considerably enhanced. 1
a. There was considerable enhancement in
the power of his eyes.
b. There was considerable enhanced in
the power of his eyes.
c. There was considerable enhance in the
power of his eyes.
2. His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion
{Choose the correct alternative.} 1
a. Not only his forehead was resplendent
with sacred ash but also vermilion.
b. His forehead was resplendent with not
only sacred ash but also vermilion.
c. His forehead was not only resplendent
with sacred ash but vermilion also.
A 6) Vocabulary - 2
marks
Match the pairs of synonyms in the given table.
|
No |
Word |
Meanings |
|
1 |
Cowrie |
a. a kind of palm |
|
2 |
Vociferousness |
b. loud and
noisy |
|
3 |
Dallied
|
c. a sea animal |
|
4 |
Palmyra |
d. wasted time just hanging around |
B) Language Study - 4
marks
B1) Do as directed. 3
marks
1. People were attracted to him. {State
whether the statement is Active or Passive) 1 mark
a. Active Voice b. Passive Voice
2. It was a remarkable place in many
ways. { Choose the sentence which shows Simple Present Tense}
1
mark
a. It will be a remarkable place in many
ways.
b. It is a remarkable place in many
ways.
c. It can be a remarkable place in many
ways
3. He was as much a stranger to the
stars as were his innocent customers.
{Choose correct alternative to show Comparative construction of the given
statement 1
mark
a. His innocent customers were more a
stranger to the stars than him.
b. His innocent customers were one of
the most strangers to the stars
B2) Spot the error 1
mark
1. This/These/It
colour schemes never failed. {Choose proper word to make it correct.} 1 mark
Q.2 A . Read the extract and complete
the activities given below:
12 marks
Once upon a time, the animals decided
they must do something heroic to meet the problems of a “new world” so they
organized a school. They adopted an activity curriculum consisting of running,
climbing, swimming and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum,
all the animals took all the subjects. The duck was excellent in swimming. In
fact, better than his instructor. But he made only passing grades in flying and
was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to stay after
school and also drop swimming in order to practise running. This was kept until
his webbed feet were badly worn and he was only average in swimming But average
was acceptable in school so nobody worried about that, except the duck. The
rabbit started at the top of the class in running but had a nervous breakdown
because of so much make up work in swimming. The squirrel was excellent in
climbing until he developed frustration in the flying class where his teacher
made him start from the ground up instead of the treetop down. He also
developed a “Charlie horse” from overexertion and then got a C in climbing and
D in running.The eagle was a problem child and was disciplined severely. In the
climbing class, he beat all the others to the top of the tree but insisted on
using his own way to get there.At the end of the year, an abnormal eel that
could swim exceedingly well and also run, climb and fly a little, had the
highest average and was valedictorian.The prairie dogs stayed out of school and
fought the tax levy because the administration would not add digging and
burrowing in the curriculum.
A 1) Global Understanding – 2
marks
State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The eagle received the highest grades
in all the curriculum‟s activities.
2. To meet the challenges of a new world
, the prairie dogs agreed to admit in the animal school.
3. In the animal school, some animals
selected the subjects as per their choice.
4. The duck never thought seriously about
his average grades.
A 2) Complex factual - 2
marks
Complete the table with help of the extract which shows
information about animal’s performances. Animal Activity Performance
|
ANIMAL |
ACTIVITY |
PERFORMANCE
|
|
THE EAGLE |
Climbing |
|
|
THE SQUIRREL |
|
D grade |
|
THE RABBIT |
|
EXCELLENT |
|
THE EEL |
Flying |
|
A 3) Inference / Interpretation / Analysis – 2
marks
Explain and compare the performance of the
duck and an eel.
A 4) Personal response - 2
marks
Today‟s
textual education fails to meet the challenges of the changing world.Do you
agree with this statement? Provide new ideas to make it meaningful.
A 5) Language Study - 2
marks
1.
The
duck was better than his instructor. { Choose the word which is
conjunction} 1 a. better
b. than c. was
2.
Since
he was slow in running, he had to stay after school. { Select proper
alternative which expresses similar meaning of the given sentence.} 1
a. As he was slow in running , he had to
stay after school.
b. Though he was slow in running , he
had to stay after school.
A 6) Vocabulary - 2
marks
Match the pairs of adjectives and nouns in the given
table.
|
NO |
ADJECTIVE |
NOUN |
|
1 |
nervous |
Feet |
|
2 |
New |
Average |
|
3 |
webbed |
Breakdown |
|
4 |
highest |
world |
B)Summary writing - 3
marks
Write the summary of the above extract with the help of the
given points/hints given below. Suggest a
suitable title.
Activities
in the curriculum…………….. participants and their performances…………. reasons
of lowering grades ……………valedictorian
etc.
C) Mind mapping - 3
marks
Read the following extract and complete the Mind Mapping
design with appropriate answers.
Sudha Murthy was born on 19 August,
1950; in Shiggaon in Karnataka. She and her siblings were raised by her parents
and maternal grandparents. She completes B.E. in Electrical Engineering from
B.V.B. College of Engineering and Technology, standing first in her class and
receiving a gold medal from the Chief Minister of Karnataka. She completed M.E.
in Computer Science from the Indian institute of science, standing first in her
class and receiving a gold medal from the Indian institute of Engineers. Sudha
Murthy became the first female engineer hired at India‟s largest auto
manufacturer TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company ( TELCO) as a Development
Engineer. She later joined Walchand Group of Industries at Pune as a Senior
System Analyst. In 1996, she started Infosys Foundation and has been a Visiting
Professor at the P.G. centre of Banglore University.
SECTION II – POETRY
(POETRY AND APPRECIATION)
Q. 3 A . Read the extract and
complete the activities given below: {10-15 lines} 10 marks
Song of the Open Road
Afoot and light-hearted I take to the
open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading
wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I
myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more,
postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints,
libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open
road.
The earth, that is sufficient,
I do not want the constellations any
nearer,
I know they are very well where they
are,
I know they suffice for those who
belong to them.
(Still here I carry my old delicious
burdens, I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,
I swear it is impossible for me to
get rid of them,
I am fill’d with them, and I will
fill them in return.)
-Walt Whitman
A 1) Global understanding – 2 marks
The poet wishes to keep himself happy in this journey of his life. Choose
and write the lines which suggest his
cheerfulness.
A 2)
Inference/Interpretation/Analysis – 2 marks
The poet is well- prepared for the
journey of life. Complete the web by writing list of things which he wants to
avoid during this journey. E.g. He does not want constellations any nearer.
|
A 3) Personal Response – Friends are
important part of our life. Express reasons why friends are important. |
2 marks |
||
|
A 4) Poetic Device – Find and
Explain the example of metaphor with help of the poem. |
|
|
2 marks |
|
A 5) Creativity – 2 marks Add 2 lines
to make a different ending of the stanza. I carry
them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go, ……………………………………. ……………………………………. |
|
|
|
|
B. Appreciation - |
|
|
4 marks |
Read the
poem and write an appreciation of it. You may use the following points.
1. About the poem
2. Central Idea
3. Special features
4. Poetic Devices
5. Your opinion
Indian Weavers
Weavers, weaving at break
of day, Why do you weave a garment so gay?...... Blue as the wing of a halcyon
wild, We weave the robes of a new-born child.
Weavers, weaving at fall of night, Why
do you weave a garment so bright?........
Like the plumes of a peacock, purple
and green, We weave the marriage-veils of a queen.
Weavers, weaving solemn and still,
What do you weave in the moonlight
chill……
White as a feather and white as a
cloud,
We weave a dead man‟s funeral shroud.
-
Sarojini
Naidu
SECTION III – ( WRITING SKILLS ) 16
marks
Q. 4 A. Complete any one activity from the following.
1. Drafting virtual message - 4 marks
Draft the message which Anjali
Shrivastava left for her boss, Mr Anil Gupta. Imagine that you are Sudhir Shaha
and you are working in Reliance Co. with Anjali. Use the following information
which Anjali gave to you on phone & carry on this information to her boss
Mr Gupta . Anjali‟s son ….. Admitted to Hospital…. Mr Gupta gave her
responsibility to attend the meeting with the clients on the same day….Anjali
in Hospital …. Unable to attend …..Request to postpone or choose another
colleague.
OR
2. Statement of Purpose – 4 marks
Read the information given below and prepare a suitable
statement of Purpose.
Pune
University is one of the leading educational institutes in the country. It had
launched new course regarding „Business
English Communication Skills.‟ The course duration is of 6 months. You want to
admit your name for that course. Make a Statement of Purpose which will help
you get admission to this Course. You may use following points-Your personal
background ….. Reasons of joining this course……. Your strengths, hobbies &
other remarkable activities…… Your ideas regarding course….Approach to career
etc.
OR
3. Group Discussion – 4
marks
Write four of five views in the form of dialogues to present
group discussion in your class.
Your teacher has organized discussion session in your class.
The topic for discussion is “Is the world giving women more opportunities to
excel in every sector of society in 21st century ? ” Imagine you are the leader
of your group. Some of your friends are putting forth their opinions. Write an
imaginary group discussion regarding this topic.Points-Women status in the past
and present, Malpractices in society, Education as a blessing, Women‟s
achievements, Changing scenario in the present world , Contradictory ideologies
between male and female superiority etc.
Q. 4 B. Complete any one activity from the following.
1. E-mail Writing - 4
marks
Write an E-mail to your friend informing him about how to use
Paytm app on an Android phone. You may
use the following points.
Points -
Importance of Paytm app ……. Downloading with Playstore ……. Click on allow to
resume the use of the app …….. Sign in with username and password ……… Attach
bank account ……..Procedure of sending money or purchasing online ……..
precautions etc.
OR
2. Report Writing – 4
marks
Write a report of the celebration of teacher’s day in your
college. You may use the following points. Points – Day, Time & Place of
the programme …….. Preparations ……Various programmes & events……Participation of Students as School
employees…… Chief Guest‟s message…etc.
OR
3. Interview – 4
marks
Frame a set of 8-10 questions.
Mrs. Suvarna Kadam has honoured with „Health Warrior Award‟
by the honourable Prime Minister of our country. You want to take her interview
for your college magazine. Frame a set of 8 – 10 questions to interview
her.
Points - Difficulties in job, Her feelings after receiving
the award , Her education and job, Role model, her daily routine , Suggestions
to other Warriors , Information about her safety measures, Message for citizens
of country etc.
Q. 4 C. Complete any one activity from the following.
1. Speech Writing - 4
marks
Write the speech on ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of Online
Education.’
Imagine your college is organizing a speech competition on
the above topic. Prepare a speech in 100 words with the help of the following
points.
Points - Benefits of online study …….. Drawbacks of online
study ……… Variety of techniques used in online learning ………… Precautions and
pitfalls in learning …… Instructions to use media wisely etc.
OR
2. Compering – 4
marks
Write the script to do compering of the given programme.
Your college has organized the
elocution competitions on „ Eat Healthy, Be Healthy‟ programme. Dr. Sudhir
Gupta is the chief guest for this programme. Imagine that you are a compere of
this programme . Write the script to do compering. You may use the following
points in an appropriate sequence. Points -Introduction ….. Welcome of the
chief guest……. Welcome song……….. Participants
speeches……… Principal‟s message ………… Prize Distribution & guidelines
by Dr. Sudhir Gupta… Vote of Thanks.
OR
3. Expansion of Ideas – 4
marks
Expand the following statement with proper
illustrations.
‘Service to man is
service to God.’
Q. 4 D. Complete any one activity from the following.
1. Review Writing - 4
marks
Write a review of any movie or programme which you like the
most. You may take help of the following
points.
Points - Introduction of movie, Story line/ Subject/Conflict,
Casting, Type & Setting, Technological aspect used e.g. Animation etc. ,
Message, Significance of the title, Your opinion and rating etc.
OR
2. Blog Writiing – 4
marks
Write a blog post /article in a proper format on the
following topic.
“WE MAY DEFEAT CORONA {COVID 19} i.e.Do‟s and Don‟ts during
Corona 19 pandemic.”
Points: 1) Inform about the disease 2) Mention reasons of
infections 3)
Suggest measures to
protect from the infection 4) Inform about diet, precautions that one has to
follow during asymptomatic illness 5) Request to use masks, sanitizers and
follow social distancing.
OR
3. Appeal – 4
marks
The whole globe is hijacked by epidemic of Covid 19. All the industrial sectors are facing shut down due to this disease. The workers are not getting their wages. Your organisation has arranged online campaign regarding raising funds to help such workers and needy individuals. Prepare an appeal for the people to contribute to the funds with the help of the following points:{ Purpose of the online movement, Duration of fund collection, Description about how your organization will help the workers as well as needy individuals, Request for donations, Online payment methods , add your own points. }
SECTION IV – ( GENRE - NOVEL ) 16
marks
Q. 5 A. Complete the activities given
below as per the instructions. 4
marks
1 . Choose the correct alternative. 2
marks
1. A ……………….. novel narrates the adventures of the
protagonist, who is an eccentric person.
a. Realistic
b. Dystopian
c. Picaresque
2. Place ,
Period , climate and ……………… are the aspects of the setting.
a.Theme b. Novella c. Lifestyle
2. Complete the web by choosing appropriate words from the following words. 2 marks
{Drama, phrase, W. James, Kiran
Nagarkar, Rajmohan‟s wife, Principles of Psychology, flow of thoughts, central
idea.}
Stream
of consciousness is a…………………..
He used this term in his treatise ‘
…………………….
Q. 5 B. Answer in about 50 words to
the questions given below. 4 marks
1. Compare the following characters in
the novel To Sir, With Love. 2
marks
Ricky Braithwaite and
Head of the School.
2. Narrate the event of Half-yearly report of Students‟ Council which took place on November 15th in the novel To Sir, With love. 2 marks
Q. 5 C. Answer in about 50 words to the questions given below. 4 marks
1. Explain the reasons due to which Passepartout blames himself for the delay of his master to reach London on time.{Novel – Around the world in eighty days} 2 marks
2. What is the central idea of Novel
“Around The World In Eighty Days”. 2 marks
Q. 5 D. Answer in about 50 words to
the questions given below. 4
marks
1. Explain –Sherlock Holmes is the central character.{Novel –The Sign Of Four} 2
2.Elaborate/Interpret the
following lines in the light of the novel – The Sign Of Four. “You really are an automaton – a calculating
machine”. 2
