Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions Set 11 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Set 11 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks : 80
General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE section-READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.
Section – A
Reading Skills [22 Marks]
Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages
Question 1.
Read the following text. (12 Marks)
1. Today, we have a generation of people who, after having lived in a joint family system, have . taken the initiative to break out and start a nuclear family. This generation today has come of age and very well appreciates the strengths and weaknesses of both the systems.
2. The generation that broke out of the old joint family system did so when individualistic thinking began to gain predominance in society. It was exciting to explore, experiment and establish a living setup on one’s own. The nuclear family gave immense freedom from the traditions and ways of life that the old system was ridden with. Hence, whenever and wherever the parents and the grown up adult children could not get along well and when the adult children could afford to build a house to call their own, nuclear families began to be formed. As it happens with most changes in society, initially the people from the old system did not take this change very well. They were saddened to see the disintegration of family values and system and emergence of individualistic nuclear families. However, gradually when nuclear families became the order of the day, the old generation slowly began to accept the realities and became comfortable with it.
3. The other factor that gave rise to nuclear families was industrialisation. The industrial revolution brought with it increase in job opportunities in and around major industrialised and commercial cities and towns. This forced men and women to move out of their family home and away from the parents. In this case, often the parents, who remained emotionally attached to the place where they spent most of their life, preferred to continue staying in their family home and accepted with some sadness their children starting out a new life away from them.
4. One of the major reasons why my generation was desperate to break out of the joint family was the attitude of the older generation to impose their views and thoughts on us. In some families, the father’s words would be final and nobody could dare say or do anything against it. Such an autocratic style of leading a family leads to repression and suppression, giving rise to feelings of discontentment and unhappiness.
5. If the joint family system is laid on the founding stone of mutual and genuine love and respect for each and every member (including children), then the system is guaranteed to be a success. It helps to keep in mind that love, respect and affection are things that can be only commanded and not demanded. We command these precious things by giving them first. Further, family members need to communicate openly and honestly with one another. The elders in the family must encourage and create an environment conducive to open communication. In the absence of such an environment, family members can feel repressed and suppressed that can lead to discontentment. Non-judgemental listening and demonstrating mutual trust are necessary to help family members open upto one another.
6. One of the things that disintegrated the old joint family system was the constant interference and meddling by elders in the matters of youngsters. Learning from past mistakes, another important aspect of communication is knowing when NOT to communicate. In other words, it is important to give one another space and respect the boundaries of each other.
7. It is important that members in a joint family system feel accepted for who they are and as they are. The crucial part of acceptance of one another is acceptance of our own weaknesses and limitations and that of others. Realistic expectations help us to be more tolerant of the weaknesses of one another. Having unrealistic expectations of others is often the root cause of disappointments and discontentment with others.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) Pick the option that correctly lists the final feelings of the writer with reference to the past family system. (1)
(a) Frustating and suppressing
(b) Amusing and Satisfying
(c) Non-judgemental and Suppressing
(d) Enlightening and Gratifying
Answer:
(a) Frustating and suppressing
(ii) Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct sequence in which reasons for the breakup of joint family is presented. (1)
1. Industrialisation
2. Authority
3. Lack of respect
4. Meddling
Codes
(a) 2, 4, 3, 1
(b) 3, 2, 1, 4
(c) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 1, 2, 3 , 4
Answer:
(d) 1,2, 3, 4
(iii) List a few reasons for how a joint family system can succeed. Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
A joint family can succeed if there is a mutual trust among the members of the family. The members should be tolerant of one other’s weaknesses. Moreover, an environment that is conducive to open communication helps in making joint family system a success.
(iv) Complete the given sentence based on the information given in the extract. ……………. is the root cause of disappointments and discontent with others in a family. (1)
Answer:
Having unrealistic expectations from others
(v) Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘satisfaction’, from words used in Paragraph 4. (1)
(a) desperate
(b) impose
(c) discontentment
(d) repression
Answer:
(c) discontentment
(vi) What would be the immediate consequence of a father ‘s word being final in a joint family setup? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
The consequence of a father’s word being final in a joint family system would be that nobody could dare to say anything against it.
(vii) What role does ‘acceptance’ play in a joint family system? Answer in about 40 words. (2)
Answer:
‘Acceptance’ plays an important role in a joint family system.The members of a joint family system should feel accepted for who they are and as they are. Moreover, one should accept one’s own weaknesses and limitations and also that of others.
(viii) Which word in the 12th paragraph means ‘the opportunity to take a step’? (1)
Answer:
‘Initiate’ in the 1st paragraph means ‘the opportunity to take a step’.
(ix) Complete the following sentence by choosing an appropriate option.
The need to form nuclear families was felt due to ………………. . (1)
(a) immense freedom from traditions and old styles of joint family system
(b) members in joint family could not live peacefully
(c) it was economical to form an individual set up
(d) advent of industrialisation and more job opportunities
Answer:
(d) advent of industrialisation and more job opportunities
Question 2.
Read the following text. (10 Marks)
1. With the enormous amount of information potentially available to travellers, the internet constitutes an important platform for information exchange between the consumer and industry suppliers (e.g., hotels, transportation sectors, attractions), intermediaries (e.g., travel agents), controllers (e.g., governments and administrative bodies), as well as many non-profit organisations such as destination marketing organisations.
2. Different technological interfaces, such as search engines, online travel booking sites and websites of destination marketing organisations facilitate the information exchange between online travellers and the so-called “online tourism domain”.
3. Particularly, it has been argued that understanding the nature of the online tourism domain, i.e. the composition of online tourism related information potentially available to travellers, provides an important stepping-stone for the development of successful marketing programs and better information systems in tourism.
4. The importance of social media is identified by Xiang & Gretzel (2010). Their analysis showed that social media constitute a substantial part of the search results, indicating that search engines linked the travellers directly to social media sites. Since more and more travellers seem to tap into this “collective intelligence” available on the web, this will challenge the established marketing practices of many tourism businesses and destinations.
5. The relation between social interaction, communication media and content can provide various supplementary advantages. It is more convenient and efficient way of spreading information compared io traditional media and thus, more and more companies are utilising it as a marketing channel. Furthermore, through media visibility companies are able to create more approachable image and possibly bring awareness among new customers as well as retain existing consumer relationships.
6. One of the popular travel social media site Expedia Media Solutions partnered with ComScore, shed some insightful details of how travellers consume and share content prior to, during and after a trip.
7. It shows that the field of online content consumption is growing at a rapid pace. Another interesting point was that content is available and being accessed by consumers across more platforms and channels than ever before. Not surprisingly coming from an Expedia Solutions study, online travel agencies were found to be an important source across all platforms and throughout all stages of the booking process.
8. It is no wonder that destinations, airlines, hotels and most travel marketers are embracing social networks such as pinterest, photo/video applications such as Instagram and Vine, as part of their storytelling toolkit, reaching out to growing crowds of travellers.
Answer the following questions, based on given passage.
(i) Who, as per the information given in the passage, are the controllers in the field of tourism? (2)
Answer:
The government and administrative bodies are the controllers in the field of tourism as per the information given in the passage.
(ii) Which of the following statements is NOT substantiated by information in Paragraph 4? (1)
(a) The established marketing practices of many tourism businesses and destinations are challenged by the online media.
(b) Social media constitute a substantial part of the travel search results.
(c) Search engines link the travellers directly to social media sites.
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(d) None of the above
(iii) In what way do social medid sites give supplementary advantage? (2)
Answer:
Social media sites give supplementary advantage through the system of communication and interactions.
(iv) Based on the given graphical representation of data in the passage, choose the option that is TRUE with respect to the usage of social media networks. (1)
(a) Online travel agencies are an important source across all platforms and throughout all stages of the booking process.
(b) Through media visibility companies are able to complicate their market standing.
(c) Different technological interfaces facilitate the information exchange between online travellers.
(d) Both (a) and (e)
Answer:
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(v) According to the given data graph, which marketing field shows the greatest influence of tourists? (1)
(a) Travel Metasearch Sites
(b) Portal Travel Channels
(e) Online Travel Agencies
(d) Airline Sites
Answer:
(c) Online Travel Agencies
(vi) What does the given passage focus? (1)
Answer:
The passage focuses on the increasing role of social media in tourism.
(vii) Complete the sentence appropriately with one word. (1)
‘…………..’ in paragraph 1 means the same as ‘huge’.
Answer:
Enormous
(viii) State True or False. (1)
The field of online content consumption is growing at a slow but steady pace.
Answer:
False
Section – B
Creative Writing Skills [18 Marks]
Note: All details presented in the questions are imaginary and created for assessment purpose.
Question 3.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. (4)
A. Your school is organising a fete to collect funds for charity. Only school students are eligible to put. up stalls. As the Head Boy/Head Girl of Meera International School, draft a notice for the school notice board announcing the sale of stalls. Invent all necessary details.
OR
B. You are Ram/Rajani, Secretary of the Social Science Club and Sun Public School, Nagpur. Your club is organising a health awareness camp for the students. There will be a special focus on obesity among children. Draft a notice for your school notice board giving all the relevant information about the camp.
Answer:
Meera International School, New Delhi 10th August, 20XX School Fete All students are hereby informed that the school is organising a fete on 24th August, 20XX, in school ground from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to collect funds for charity. Only school students are eligible to put up their stalls. |
OR
B.
Sun Public School, Nagpur 14th September, 20XX Health Awareness Camp All the students are hereby informed that a Health Awareness Camp, with a special focus on obesity among children, is being organised by the school’s Social Service Club on Saturday, 18th September, 20XX, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school compound. Experienced doctors and technicians from government hospitals will be in attendance. Students are requested to bring their parents to be a part of the camp. For further details, contact the undersigned. |
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. (4)
A. You are Sachin Bansal, the Head Boy of Springdales Public School, Gurugram. On the occasion of Van Mahotsav function in your school, draft an invitation to invite a renowned environmentalist for a tree plantation drive in your school.
OR
B. You are Neena/ Naveen of 21, Shakti Vihar, Delhi. You have opened a departmental store in Chandni Chowk. Draft an informal invitation to invite your friend on the inauguration ceremony.
Answer:
Springdales Public School Gurugram 25th June, 20XXSunita Narain 2/27, Jorbagh New DelhiSubject : Invitation to the Tree Plantation DriveRespected Ma’am This is to inform you with pride that our school, Springdales Public School, is organising a Tree Plantation Drive on the occasion of Van Mahotsav. It would be our honour if you grace the occasion and share your views on environment and the importance of trees. We hope you will accept our invite. Yours faithfully Sachin Bansal Head Boy |
OR
21, Shakti Vihar Delhi27th November, 20XX Dear VarunWith the grace of God and your blessings, I am opening my first ever business venture, a departmental store, by the name of ESSENTIAL GROCERY, I would like to invite you to the inauguration of my store in Chandni Chowk on 5th December, 20XX, at 9:00 a.m. Please come in time to join the ceremony and shower your blessings on me. Yours sincerely Neena/Naveen |
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. Students are required to cope with a lot of pressure in today’s competitive environment. Write a letter to the Editor of a national daily highlighting the increasing stress faced by students and suggest ways to combat the same. You are Sarvesh/Savita. You can take help from the following visual.
B. You are Krishna from F-9, Mayur Vihar, Delhi. You have come across an advertisement in ‘The Hindustan Times’ for recruitment of Radio Jockey by Radio One, Noida. Apply in response to this advertisement giving your detailed bio-data with the help of following verbal clues.
Clues
• Hosted many shows
• Qualifications and experience
• Taken interviews
• Enclosed resume
Answer:
A.
B-13/200, Civil Lines
Delhi-110007
13th January, 20XX
The Editor
The Daily Times
New Delhi
Subject : Unbearable Pressure on Students Due to Excessive Competition
Sir/Ma’am
Through the esteemed columns of your newspaper, I would like to put forth my views about the unbearable pressure on students due to the growing competition and how to cope with it.
Students these days are always pressurised to score high marks. They face this pressure from parents as well as from their teachers. Sometimes, this pressure becomes too much and the students get undue stress.
The hectic study schedule of the students leaves no time for any recreation, hobbies or relaxation. The manifestation of this undue stress can be seen in the form of unacceptable behaviour or angry outbursts in the house, in the school, among friends, or in public. Some of the students also become depressed and commit suicide.
It is high time that some ways and means are to be adopted to lessen the trauma of stress. The best way to get rid of this stress is to indulge in games, yoga or hobbies. Listening to good music is another way of combating stress. Some Yoga Asanas and Pranayams certainly help in reducing stress and tension.
Thank you
Yours sincerely
Sarvesh
OR
B.
F-9, Mayur Vihar
Delhi
11th May, 20XX
The Human Resource Manager
Radio One
Noida
Subject : Application for the Post of Radio Jockey
Sir/Ma’am
This is in response to your advertisement in The Hindustan Times’ dated 9th May, 20XX for the post of Radio Jockey in your company. I wish to apply for the same.
I possess the requisite qualifications and experience. Having my Masters degree in BA Journalism, I have done a diploma course in Public Speaking. I have worked in Radio Mirchi and hosted many shows in Delhi. I have also taken many interviews of politicians and celebrities, and have gained enough confidence to entertain my listeners.
I am enclosing my detailed resume for your perusal. You may call me for an interview on any date as per your convenience. I shall be able to join my duties in one month if appointed. I hope for a positive reply.
Yours sincerely Krishna
Enclosure: Resume
Resume
Name : Krishna
Father’s Name : Mr. Manoj
Date of Birth : 29th July, 1991
Address : F-9, Mayur Vihar, Delhi
E-mail id : [email protected]
Nationality : Indian
Educational Qualifications
Name of the Exam | Name of the Institute | Year | Percentage/GPA |
Diploma in Public Speaking | YMCA | 2015 | 87% |
MA Journalism | IIMC | 2014 | 76% |
BA Journalism | IIMC | 2012 | 73% |
Hobbies : Music, Net Surfing, Photography, Sports and Reading
Languages Known : Hindi, English and Spanish
Experience : • Worked as an RJ for Radio Mirchi for two years.
References • Mr. Vimal Chauhan, Managing Head, Radio Mirchi • Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Event pros
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. Some colleges conduct entrance test for admission to their professional courses. Do you think that the entrance test is the right method for selecting students? Write an article for your school magazine on this issue. You are Kavita/ Himanshu Manchanda, a student of Class XII-A.
You can use the following clues.
Clues
• Necessity of written entrance test
• Aptitude developed
• Rote learning at school level
• Tests will bring out true capabilities
OR
B. Bhimdas Jaweri, a renowned jewellery store, was looted in broad daylight in your city. The robbers fled with cash and jewellery worth about ₹ 1 crore. As a Staff Correspondent for ‘The Mumbai Express’, write a report on it.
Clues
• Daylight robbery
• Things worth ₹ 1 crore looted
• Appearing to be interested
• Staff at gunpoint
• Alarm raised
Answer:
A. Admission Tests for Undergraduate Courses
by Himanshu Manchanda, Class XII-A
A new trend has developed in the process of admission for professional courses in some colleges.
This is a written entrance test which is mandatory to qualify for counselling. Some candidates and their parents feel that it is totally unnecessary; they believe that an entrance test would be too strict for students.
However, such tests are required for many reasons. It is said that the aptitude of students for a subject or profession is never tested in schools, Clearing the Board exams does not reveal the true potential of the child as they can be passed by rote learning in most cases.
Instead, entrance tests try to bring out the student’s true capabilities. Only those students who are serious about the course will prepare and take the tests. So, these entrance tests for professional courses are necessary and should be introduced by all colleges offering professional courses.
OR
B. Jewellery Worth a Crore Looted
by Staff Correspondent, The Mumbai Express
Mumbai, 14th October, 20XX : In a daring daylight robbery, jewellery and cash worth about ₹ 1 crore was looted from a jewellery store in the heart of the city yesterday afternoon. This incident occurred in the premises of Bhimdas Jaweri, a renowned jewellery store located in Santa Cruz West in Mumbai. At about 2:45 PM, .five well-dressed youths entered the showroom by pretending to be customers.
For a while, they looked at some ornaments, appearing to be interested in buying them. Suddenly, two of them whipped out revolvers and held the owner and the staff at gunpoint. The other three smashed the glass cases and stuffed cash and jewellery into a bag..They then cut off the telephone wires, confiscated all the mobile phones and fled away in a waiting car. Mukesh Das, the owner, raised an alarm before summoning the police. The police questioned the staff members about the physical appearances of the men. They have also taken the CCTV footage and are on the lookout for the thieves. However, this incident has put a question on the security and safety of the people in the city of rising crimes.
Section – C
Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text [40 Marks]
Question 7.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (6)
A.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. (A Thing of Beauty)
(i) Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’ would include. (1)
(a) Selflessness
(b) Judiciousness
(c) Enthusiasm
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these
(ii) The phrase from the extract that suggests that human life in full of hardships ………………… . (1)
Answer:
The phrase ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways’ suggests the given expression.
(iii) State True or False. (1)
The Earth without the beautiful things is a place full of despair and unpleasantness.
Answer:
True
(iv) Which of the following poetic devices has been used in ‘of noble natures’? (1)
(a) Assonance
(b) Imagery
(c) Paradox
(d) Alliteration
Answer:
(d) Alliteration
(v) The poet says that we wreath a flowery band that binds us to Earth.
He means to state that nature’s beauty fills man with ……………. . (1)
Answer:
a spirit of living
(vi) What makes our life full of inhuman dearth? (1)
Answer:
According to the poet, we ourselves make our lives full of inhuman dearth due to our selfish and self-centered nature.
OR
B. For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness. (Keeping Quiet)
(i) Why does the poet use the word ‘let’s? (1)
(a) To initiate a conversation between the poet and the readers
(b) To invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity
(c) To welcome readers into the world of the poem and its subject
(d) To address readers as fellow members of the human race
Answer:
(b) To invite readers as part of the poem’s larger call to humanity
(ii) Why is there a reference to language in the given extract? (1)
(a) To mention verbal violence
(b) To mention miscommunication
(c) To mention propaganda
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer:
(b) To mention miscommunication.
(iii) Why do you think the poet employs words like ‘exotic’ and ‘strangeness1? (1)
Answer:
There is a reference to language in the given extract to highlight the importance of everyone being together suddenly for once.
(iv) State True or False.
Poet vouches against violence. (1)
Answer:
True
(v) The poet is propagating, through the given lines, ……………. . (1)
Answer:
the need for peace and brotherhood
(vi) By ‘arms’, we mean ……………. .(1)
Answer:
weapons, arms of human beings and chaos
Question 8.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (4)
A. DERRY: They talk about me. Downstairs, When I’m not there. ‘What’ll he ever do? What’s going to happen to him when we’ve gone? However will he get on in this world? Looking like that? With that on his face?’ That’s what they say.
MR LAMB: Lord , boy, you’ve got two arms, two legs and eyes and ears, you’ve ; got a tongue and a brain. You’ll get on the way you want, like all the rest. And if you chose and set your mind to it, you could get on better than all the rest. (Journey to the End of the Earth)
(i) Which of the following summarises Mr Lamb’s attitude? (1)
(a) He had a negative outlook towards life.
(b) He had a positive outlook towards life.
(c) He was a cruel man.
(d) He was a confused man.
Answer:
(b) He had a positive outlook towards life.
(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately, with reference to the extract.
Mr. Lamb says the given lines to Derry in order to …………… . (1)
Answer:
teach him self-worth
(iii) Who does ‘they’ in the extract refer to? (1)
Answer:
In the extract, ‘they’ refers to Derry’s family.
(iv) What does ‘set your mind to it’ in the extract mean? (1)
Answer:
‘Set your mind to it’ means to do or have something.
B. Will the West Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end of the world as we know it? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Antarctica is a crucial element in this debate — not just because it’s the only place in the world, which has never sustained a human population and therefore remains relatively ‘pristine’ in this respect; but more importantly, because it holds in its ice-cores half-million-year-old carbon records trapped in its layers of ice. (On the Face of It)
OR
(i) What does the phrase ‘May be. May be not’ in the extract indicate? (1)
(a) Suspicion
(b) Foretelling
(c) Uncertainty
(d) Despair
Answer:
(c) Uncertainty
(ii) Find a word in the extract which is a synonym of ‘perfect’. (1)
Answer:
‘Pristine’ in the extract is a synonym of ‘perfect’.
(iii) Why does Antarctica holds importance? (1)
Answer:
Antarctica holds importance because it tells us about the past, present and future of the Earth.
(iv) The questions asked by the narrator signify ………….. . (1)
Answer:
the deep concern of the narrator for the world and its environment
Question 9.
Read the given extracts and answer table questions for ANY ONE of the two, given. (6)
A. As soon as they got up from the table he went around to each one present and said thank you and good night, but when he came to the young girl she gave him to understand that it was her father’s intention that the suit which he wore was to be a Christmas present-he did not have to return it; and if he wanted to spend next Christmas Eve in a place where he could rest in peace and be sure that no evil would befall him, he would be welcomed back again. (The Rattrap)
(i) What did the girl want to convey to the guest? (1)
(a) Her father wanted him to wear the suit
(b) She wanted him to wear the suit
(c) She wanted to thank him
(d) She liked him
Answer:
(a) Her father wanted him to wear the suit
(ii) What did Edla tell the peddler? (1)
Answer:
Edla told the peddler that he could relax at her home and that he would be welcomed back again.
(iii) What does the given extract show about Edla? (1)
(a) That she was charitable
(b) That she was cheerful
(c) That she was benevolent
(d) That she was haughty
Answer:
(c) That she was benevolent
(iv) What did Edla also invited the peddler for? (1)
Answer:
Edla also invited the peddler to spend next Christmas Eve with them.
(v) Complete the sentence with reference to the extract. (1)
The guest was asked not to ……………. the suit.
Answer:
return
(vi) How does Edla’s gesture affect the peddler? (1)
Answer:
Edla’s kind and compassionate gestures affect the peddler for the good as he realises his folly and decides to become a good man.
OR
B. I went to the pool when no one else was there. The place was quiet. The water was still and tiled bottom was as white and clean an a bathtub. I was timid about going in alone, so I sat on the side of the pool to wait for others.
I had not been there long when in came a big bruiser of a boy, probably eighteen years old. He had thick hair on his chest. He was a beautiful physical specimen, with legs and arms that showed rippling, muscles. He yelled. “Hi, Skinny!
How’d you like to be ducked?” (Deep Water)
(i) Select the option that completes the give sentence appropriately. (1)
When the narrator went to the pool it was ………………. .
(a) pleasant and lively
(b) thrilling and attractive
(c) dirty
(d) still and clean
Answer:
(d) still and clean
(ii) Why did the narrator sit on the side of the pool? (1)
(a) To enjoy the beauty of the pool
(b) He was afraid of entering the pool alone
(c) To wait for the coach
(d) To prepare himself mentally to enter
Answer:
(b) He was afraid of entering the pool alone
(iii) What is the purpose of the description of the bully? Present your views. (1)
Answer:
The description of the bully is central to understanding the narrator’s law confidence.
As a child, Douglas was skinny and lean. In contrast, the bully was muscular and handsome.
(iv) What did the big bruiser of a boy do? (1)
Answer:
The big bruiser of a boy picked the narrator and tossed him into the deep end of the pool.
(v) Identify the textual clue that all’ows the reader to infer that the big boy was a bully. (1)
Answer:
‘Hi Skinny! How’d you like to be ducked?’ is the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that the big boy was a bully.
(vi) The word ‘bruiser’ in the extract means ……………… . (1)
Answer:
aggressor
Question 10.
Answer ANY FIVE of following six questions, in about 40 – 50 words. (5 × 2 = 10)
(i) The peddler initially declined the invitation of the ironmaster. Why? (The Rattrap) (2)
Answer:
The peddler initially declined the invitation of the ironmaster to come to his house as he was afraid that his real identity would get exposed there and he might get saught as he had stolen the money from the crofter.
(ii) Explain the concept of ‘interstices’ in our lives as given by Umberto Eco. (The Interview) (2)
Answer:
Umberto Eco explained that we have a lot of empty spaces of time in our lives which he cails ‘interstices’. For instance, if we are waiting to meet someone, we are ‘free is an interstice or an empty space. He is able to be a prolific writer because he works during these empty spaces.
(iii) What do the parting words of Kamala Das and her smile signify in the following lines? (2)
Answer:
“And felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and smile …” (My Mother at Sixty-Six)
Answer:
The parting words of the poet, Kamala Das, reflect her feeling that she wants to meet her mother again. However, she wears a smile on her face to mask her pain and to give hope, happiness and reassurance to her mother.
(iv) Near the end of the poem, why does the poet seek an unrealistic solution for the poor peoples distress even through earlier he had blamed them for their ‘childish longing in vain’? (The Roadside Stand) (2)
Answer:
Unlike the greedy good-doers, the poet genuinely wishes to get the poor people out of their pain, poverty and endless miseries. However, he is saddened by the fact that no one is there to help them come out of their poverty. This helplessness drives the poet to seek an unrealistic solution for the poor people.
(v) ‘What knitting was to Aunt Jennifer, poetry was for Adrienne Rich.’ Do you agree? Comment with reference to the poem Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers. (2)
Answer:
It is true that the act of knitting by Aunt Jennifer is similar to the act of writing poetry by Adrienne Rich. The act of knitting is the creative expression of Aunt Jennifer’s talents through which she puts forward her desires, wishes and dreams.
Similarly, writing poetry is the creative expression of Adrienne Rich through which she propagates her ideas, thoughts and beliefs.
(vi) Describe M. Hamel’s contribution to the school in Alsace. (The Last Lesson) (2)
Answer:
M. Hamel had given 40 years of long and faithful service to the school in Alsace. He was a true Frenchman at heart who took immense pride in teaching his mother tongue. He loved the school and wished that the children loved their language.
Question 11.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40 – 50 words. (2 × 2 = 4)
(i) Antarctica is a doorway to the past. Explain. (Journey to the End of the Earth) (2)
Answer:
Antarctica is important in the study of the history of the Earth because it holds in its ice-cores
half-million-year-old carbon records. If we want to examine the Earth’s past, present and further, Antarctica is the place to go. Thus, it can be said that Antarctica is the doorway to the past.
(ii) Why did Derry go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden even after the opposition? (On the Face of It) (2)
Answer:
Derry decided to go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden despite the opposition from his mother because, for the first time, someone had not judged him. Moreover, Mr. Lamb had inspired Derry to overcome his disability by adopting an optimistic outlook towards life. The interaction with Mr. Lamb impacted Derry greatly and this made him go back to Mr. Lamb’s garden again.
(iii) Children relish the small pleasures of life just like Bama did when she dawdled along on her way back from school enjoying all the novelties. Elaborate. (Memories of Childhood) (2)
Answer:
It is quite natural for children to relish the small pleasures of life just like Bama did while dawdling along on her way back from school. Bama was distracted by the little trivialities on the street. The buzzing market, the snake chambers, the lemurs in cages, etc. all caught her attention. Thus, it toe1; Bama thirty minutes to return home from school.
Question 12.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. Imagine a car stops and actually buys from the roadside stand. Keeping in mind the reaction you think the peasants would have, write a diary entry as the farmer describing not only your immediate experience but also your after-thoughts on being able to earn ‘city-money’.
OR
B. ‘Going Places’ is an apt title for the story. Elucidate.
Answer:
A. Thursday, 24th July, 20XX
10:00 p.m.
Dear Diary
We had an unexpectedly good day today! After months, we made a sale. Somebody bought the entire produce. Before this, we all waited and waited everyday for someone to stop, someone to buy something. But this never happened. People only stopped to ask for directions or some other thing.
It all changed today.
A burly looking man bought the entire harvest and even asked me to sell everyday’s harvest to him. Initially, I was shocked when he asked me to sell. It’s unexpected for this never happened. But I had to be quick and make a sale. Finally, I had money in my hand. I could buy food, proper clothes and all other requirements for my family. The money I earned was enough for a few days. I am excited and hopeful that this day repeats and we are never out of money.
OR
B. The story ‘Going Places’ is a journey into the dream world of the protagonist who drifts from one dream to another.
Sophie, the protagonist in the story, finds the reality of her life too harsh to accept. She belongs to a lower-middle class family. Stii;, she dreams of owning the best boutique, becoming a manager in some store or a: other times becoming an actress or a fashion designer. In reality, the pitiable conditions ot ner life do not let her venture into such sophisticated professions.
In her dream world, she visits Royce’s arcade, meets Danny Casey, the sports icon and even fixes up a date with him. It’s all in her mind but she considers it true and actually waits for him to show up at a specified spot and time. The flight of her imagination is such that it flits from one dream to another and from one place to the other. Thus, the title suits the story since, throughout the narration, the protagonist jumps from one dream Lo the next, from one place to the other.
Quetsion 13.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself? (The Enemy)
OR
B. How did Charley reach the third level of Grand Central? How was it different ‘ from the other levels? (The Third Level)
Answer:
A. Tom, the American prisoner of war, knew fully well that Dr. Sadao had saved his life. He was aware of his empathy towards him. Moreover, he understood that his house was a safe haven for him because he and his wife had stayed in America and could communicate with him easily in English. The circumstances were not in his favour due to his ill health and serious wounds. Tom sensed the essential goodness of Sadao and Hana.
In his heart, he was very sure that they will not hand him over to the authorities, who had earlier, as the scars on his neck prove, inflicted inhuman treatment on him So, he was reluctant to leave the Sadao household.
OR
B. One night, Charley worked till late at the office. As he was in a hurry to get back to his apartment, he decided to take the subway from Grand Central. He went down the steps and came to the first level. Then, he walked down to the second level from where the suburban trains left. He ducked into an arched doorway that headed to the subway. However, he got lost. Knowing that he was going wrong, he continued to walk downward. The tunnel turned a sharp left and, taking a short flight of stairs, he come out on the third level at the Grand Central Station.
This was different from other levels. It was an old and romantic world. So, he was convinced that he was actually standing at the third level. There were fewer ticket windows which were made of wood and were old-looking. There were open flame gaslights. He saw people with beards, sideburns and fancy mustaches. Then, he caught a glimpse of an old locomotive and also The World’, the leading newspaper which was printed on 11th June, 1894.