Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English with Solutions Set 3 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 English Set 3 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. While there is no denying that the world loves a winner, it is important that you recognise the signs of stress in your behaviour and be healthy enough to enjoy your success. Stress can strike anytime, in a fashion that may leave you unaware of its presence in your life. While a certain amount of pressure is necessary for performance, it is important to be able to recognise your individual limit.
2. Stress is a body reaction to any demands or changes in its internal and external environment. Whenever there is a change in the external environment such as temperature, pollutants, humidity and working conditions, it leads to stress. In these days of competition, when a person makes up his mind to surpass what has been achieved by others, there is an imbalance between demands and resources, which causes psycho-social stress.
3. Stress reduces productivity and pressure to the management of organisations. Today companies prefer women to men as employees because of the hope that they bring additional qualities such as innovation, patience and dedication in the workplace. But due to increased pressure for women both at the workplace and at home, they face stress. Thus, any employee will make the maximum effort and give the maximum contribution when kept happy and without any stress. Hence, to increase productivity, it is the responsibility of the employer to keep the employees free from stress. Hence, it is essential to take steps to minimise the effects of determinants of stress and help individuals and organisations evolve newer and more effective coping strategies.
4. Stress takes a different meaning, depending on the stage of life you are in. The loss of a toy or a reprimand from the parents might create a stress shock in a child. An adolescent who fails in examination may feel as if everything has been lost and life has no further meaning. In an adult, the loss of his or her companion, job or professional failure may appear as if there is nothing more to be achieved.
5. Such signs appear, in the attitude and behaviour of the individual, as muscle tension in various parts of the body, palpitation and high blood pressure, indigestion and hyperacidity. Ultimately the result is self-destructive behaviour such as eating and drinking too much, smoking excessively or relying on tranquilisers. There are other signs of stress such as trembling, shaking, nervous blinking, dryness of throat and mouth and difficulty in swallowing. The professional under stress behaves as if he is a perfectionist.
6. A person under stress reacts in different ways and the common ones are flight, fight or flee depending upon the nature of the stress and capabilities of the person. The three responses can be elegantly chosen to cope with stress so that stress does not damage the system and become distress.
7. When a stress crosses the limit peculiar to an individual, it lowers his performance capacity. Frequent crossings of the limit may result in chronic fatigue, in which a person feels lethargic, disinterested and is not easily motivated to achieve anything. This may make the person mentally undecided, confused and accident prone as well. Diet, massage, food supplements, herbal medicines, hobbies, relaxation techniques and dance movements are excellent stress busters.
Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.
(i) The writer would not agree with the given statements based on paragraph three EXCEPT (1)
(a) Stress increases productivity.
(b) Women face stress only due to increased pressure at home.
(c) An employee will give an average contribution when kept happy and without stress.
(d) To increases productivity the employer should keep his/her employees free from . stress.
Answer:
(d) To increase productivity, the employer should keep his/her employees free from stress.
(ii) Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. (1)
A certain amount of pressure is ……………….. .
(a) not necessary for performance
(b) necessary for under performance
(c) necessary for performance
(d) necessary for failure
Answer:
(c) necessary for performance
(iii) List the symptoms of stress in individuals. (2)
Answer:
Symptoms of stress are found in the attitude and behaviour of the individual. It includes muscle tension, palpitation, high blood pressure, indigestion, hyper acidity, trembling, shaking, nervous blinking, dryness of throat and mouth, and difficulty in swallowing.
(iv) Complete the given sentence with an inference with respect to the following, (1)
The writer quotes the example of a child, an adolescent and an adult in Paragraph 5 in order to highlight that …………………. .
Answer:
stress takes different meanings, depending on the stage of life an individual is in
(v) Select the option that conveys the opposite of ‘praise’ from words used in Paragraph 5. (1)
(a) stage
(b) loss
(c) shock
(d) reprimand
Answer:
(d) reprimand
(vi) What causes psycho-social stress? (1)
Answer:
The increasing competition and the desire to surpass what had already been achieved results in psycho-social stress.
(vii) When does ‘chronic fatigue’ occur? How does it affect a person? (2)
Answer:
‘Chronic fatigue’ occurs when stress frequently crosses the limit that a person can handle effectively.
Such a person may feel lethargic, disinterested and is not easily motivated to achieve anything.
(viii) How can the solutions suggested in the last paragraph best be described? (1)
(a) Practical
(b) Presentable
(c) Popular
(d) Prejudiced
Answer:
(a) Practical
(ix) List the ways in which a person under stress behaves. (2)
Answer:
A person under stress behaves in different ways. The reaction of an individual depends upon the nature of the stress and capabilities of the person. Considering these two factors, it can be flight, fight or flee.
Question 2.
Read the following text. (10 Marks)
The average age of India will be just 27 in 2020, which means that the majority of the country will comprise young students and youth. But even now with the clock ticking, the unemployment crisis is raging the country and the main reason behind this problem is that there are a huge number of youth passing out from schools and colleges every year and there are many new career options and job roles being added to various industries as well.
However, the youth do not have the kind of skills the new industries want which results in a wide skill gap. A recent survey by Mindler, an online career-counseling platform, has proved that the majority of Indian students are aware of just seven career paths, even though there are 250 career options that can be pursued in India – most new and in-demand.
The survey on the awareness of career options among Indian students in the age group of 14-20 was conducted among 10,000 participants. The responses collected in the survey showed that a staggering 93% of the students who participated in the survey were aware of just seven career options — law, engineering, medicine, accounts and finance, design, computer applications and IT, and management.
According to researchers, India has a variety of 250 career options available across 40 domains covering 5,000 job types. This shocking lack of awareness among Indian students regarding their future career options can spell a death knell for the economic bonus that could have come to India due to its demographic dividend the time period where its population is young and earning.
Thus, if parents and teachers can build their own awareness regarding new career options coming up, then they can be a very helpful part in their child’s career decisions rather than being one of those parents who push their child into one of the most common careers simply because they are unable to understand which area would be the perfect fit for their child.
If parents utilise the available technology and tools available, they can become more aware of which careers will help their children grow the most and career counselling can help both parties get the desired satisfaction.
Answer the following questions, based on given passage.
(i) Do you think the researchers of the study aimed to change the students outlook towards the new career options? Support your answer with reference to the text. (2)
Answer:
Yes, the researchers of the study aimed to change the students’ outlook towards the new career options. The last paragraph of the passage mentions how parents and teachers can play a helpful part in their child’s career decisions by making the student choose a career that fits him/her best.
(ii) What is the main essence of the passage? (1)
(a) There is a huge gap between education and employment opportunities.
(b) There is a lack of awareness regarding new professions available.
(c) Parents must be involved in the process of career selection.
(d) Only 7 professional field are popular in India.
Answer:
(a) There is a huge gap between education and employment opportunities.
(iii) Which two fields, according to the survey, was most popular among students? (1)
Answer:
Engineering and computer application and IT were the most popular career fields among the students.
(iv) Complete the givfen sentence by selecting the most appropriate option. (1)
Career counselling can help both the students and ……………. to get satisfactory results.
(a) teachers
(b) parents
(c) survey team
(d) employees
Answer:
(b) parents
(v) How can parents become more aware? (1)
(a) By using the available tools and technology
(b) By talking to their children
(c) By providing career counselling to their children
(d) By finding which career options are the best fit for their children.
Answer:
(a) By using the available tools and technology
(vi) Based on the reading of the text, state a point to challenge the given statement. (1)
Parents need not be aware of the upcoming career options.
Answer:
The given statement is wrong. Parents should be aware of the upcoming career options so that they can help their child in choosing the best career for them.
(vii) Complete the sentence appropriately (1)
Lack of awareness among Indian students regarding their future career options is affecting our country badly since …………….. .
Answer:
it is unable to reap the economic benefits that could have come to India due to its demographic dividend
(viii) State True or False. (1)
The youth of today do have the kind of skills the view industries want.
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. You are Ravi/Rachna. As President of the Literary Club of your school; you have organised an inter-school debate competition on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of your school. Write a notice informing the students about this competition.
CR
B. Recently it was in the news that a cyclone is Odisha causing severe damage to life and infrastructure. Being the Head Girl of your school, draft a notice for the students and staff appearing for donations of relief products like clothes, money, books and other articles.
Answer:
A.
Ras Bihari Model School, Mathura NOTICE 5th December, 20XX Inter School Debate Competition • Date: 18th December, 20XX Last date for receipt of names: 10th December up to 4:30 p.m. in the Activities Room. For further details, contact the undersigned. Ravi/Rachna |
B.
Vijay Public School, Vijay Nagar 8th December, 20XX Appeal for Donations Akanksha |
Question 4.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words (4)
A. As the Principal of Aakash Vani Public School, write a formal invitation to the District Magistrate, asking him to be the Chief Guest at the Annual Sports Day of your school. Provide the necessary details.
OR
B. You are Rahul Gupta and you have been invited to the post selection party of your friend Anuj. Write an informal reply regretting your inability to attend the same.
A.
Aakash Vani Public School M-25, M Block, Vaishali, Ghaziabad- 20101012th August, 20XXMr. LM Tyagi The District Magistrate GhaziabadSubject : Invitation for Annual Sports DayRespected Sir It is a matter of great pride that our school is celebrating its 25th Annual Sports Day function on 25th September, 20XX from 10:00 a.m. onwards at the school grounds. We shall consider it a great honour if you could grace the occasion and preside over the function as the Chief Guest and give away the prizes.Your graceful presence at the function will greatly enhance our morale and act as a source of inspiration for the children. We hope that you will kindly accept our request. We also request a line in reply or an email at [email protected]. Thanking you Yours faithfully |
OR
7-C, Yojna Vihar, Delhi 10th May, 20XXDear Anuj Many thanks for inviting me to attend your post selection party in Cafe Echoes on 12th May. 20XX from 4:00 p.m. onwards. However, with great regret, I have to tell you that I shall not be able to attend the same as I shall be out of station. I shall miss this joyous occasion. I wish you all the best for the future. God Bless You! Yours truly |
Question 5.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. You are Kavita / Kailash staying at B – 101, Yamuna Vihar, Delhi. You find it
disturbing that despite a ban on the use of polythene bags, its use is rampant in the city. Write a letter to the Editor of a National Daily expressing your concern about the apathy of people towards environmental degradation. Also suggest ways to mobilise city dwellers for the cause of safe environment with the help of school children.
OR
B. You are Sudha/Sudhir resident of A-7, Shanti Park. You read the following advertisement in a newspaper.
SITUATION VACANT Wanted a young and experienced graduate with fluency in English and Hindi, to work as receptionist at Customer Care booths of NCR Groups of Hotels, Delhi. Contact Manager along with your complete CV within 7 days of this advertisement. |
Draft an application in response to the advertisement giving your detailed resume. (120 – 150 words)
Answer:
A.
B-101, Yamuna Vihar
Delhi-110056
2nd May, 20XX
The Editor
National Daily
Delhi-110001
Subject : Letter Concerning the Use of Polythene Bags Despite Being Banned
Sir/Ma’am
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authority towards the rampant use of polythene bags by the people despite its ban.
It is a known fact that the polythene bags which is an important part of all garbage disposal is very
dangerous for our as well as the environmental health. They are responsible for polluting the
environment which in turn threatens the life of all flora and fauna. Understanding the degrading effects of polythene, the government had imposed a ban on them. But, despite the ban the use of
polythene has not reduced. In fact, black markets have emerged that deal with plastic bags.
In such a situation, in order for the ban to be successful, a proper sustainable alternative needs to be
introduced. Even when legislations are drafted, all loopholes must be identified. An efficient system
for plastic and waste removal must be developed.
I hope that the concerned authorities take immediate action towards solving the issue.
Thanking you
Yours truly
Kailash/Kavita
0R
B. A-7, Shanti Park
Delhi-110001
16th December, 20XX
The Manager
NCR Group of Hotels
Delhi-110001
Subject : Application for the Post of Receptionist
Sir/Ma’am
In response to your advertisement in the Hindustan Times dated December, 20XX for the post of Receptionist, I hereby offer my candidature for the same.
As required by you, I possess requisite qualifications and experience. I want to join your group of hotels to fully utilise my potential. If given a chance, I assure you that I shall work with utmost sincerity and dedication. I am enclosing my detailed resume for your perusal.
I am available for an interview on any date as per your convenience. Hoping for a positive reply.
Thanking You
Sudha/Sudhir
Enclosure: Bio-data
Bio-data
Name : Sudha/Sudhir
Father’s Name : Mr. Subhas
Date of Birth : 24th February, 1995
Address : A-7, Shanti Park, Delhi
Phone : 85XXXXXXX
E-mail : [email protected]
Educational Qualification
Name of the Exam | Board/University | Year | Percentage |
Diploma in Computers | Aptech University | 2017 | 66% |
BA | Delhi University | 2016 | 56% |
Class 12th | CBSE | 2013 | 89% |
Class 10th | CBSE | 2011 | 8.5 GPA |
Nationality : Indian
Languages Known : Hindi, English
Experience : Worked as receptionist with ABC group of companies for 2 years.
References • Dr. Mohit Aggarwal, (Surgeon), GTB Hospital, Delhi • Mr. Ashok Kumar, Principal, AB Public School, Delhi
Question 6.
Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120 – 150 words. (5)
A. In India, the urban poor live in sub-human conditions in slums. Write a report on ‘Possible Steps to Deal with Slums in India’. You are Kundan/Kashish, City Reporter of a newspaper. You can take help from the following clues.
Clues
• Integral part of urban landscape
• Migrate for better opportunities
• Lack of proper environment
• Need of affordable, planned housing
• Sustained employment opportunities
• Long-term steps that decentralise economic activities
OR
B. You read an article on ‘Children and Smartphones’ in a reputed magazine. Now, write an article for your school magazine expressing your views about the same. You are Ajeet/Akshara, a student of Class XII-A. You can use the following clues.
Clues
• Smartphones in vogue and ubiquitous
• Become a necessity
• Maturity and understanding
• Personal data and life on public display
• Need for parental supervision
• Knowledge of advantages as well as misuse
Answer:
A. Possible Steps to Deal with Slums in India
by Kashish, City Reporter
Slums have constituted an integral part of India’s urban landscape. Many people who migrate from villages to towns in search of better income opportunities’stay in slum colonies for the lack of a better alternative. Slum-dwellers stay in shanty structures in an unhygienic environment with no electricity, running water or sanitation, as formal housing is unaffordable and much beyond their income levels.
Affordable, low cost and planned housing will contribute immensely in this regard. This will bring about a marked improvement in health and hygiene of the residents while raising the level of public hygiene. Another important aspect is availability of sustained employment opportunities. Once a ” steady flow of earnings is maintained, one can hope for a quality of life far better than that in slums.
All these steps in conjunction with long-term steps to decentralise economic activities will help a great deal in slum rehabilitation.
OR
B. Children and Smartphones
by Akshara, XII-A
Children today live in a world where smartphones are in vogue and ubiquitous (found everywhere). Consequently, for them, smartphones have become a necessity which they are eager to possess. This fact has led many discussions about the ideal age for children to have their first smartphone.
Many experts agree on the need for children to be mature and understand the disadvantages of what they have in their hand. They must be able to understand the dangers of sharing too many details of their personal life on the internet. They have to be aware that any information shared on the internet remains publicly available and can be easily misused. Last but not the least, they need to understand that keeping manners matters; in other words, what in the online world is known as Netiquette (internet etiquettes) is important.
Mobiles will require parental supervision to protect children, to teach them how to properly use smartphones, to avoid possible problems and finally to take responsibility for their misuse.Children must know that although the smartphone is a great resource of knowledge and information, it also brings many cons. So, they must know how to take advantage of mobile phones while avoiding its misuse.
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. Aunt Jennifer’s tigers prance across a screen,
Bright topaz denizens of a world of green.
They do not fear the men beneath the tree;
They pace in sleek chivalric certainty. (Aunt’s Jennifer’s Tiger)
(i) How are Aunt Jennifer’s tigers described? (1)
(a) As bold and fearless
(b) As cruel and menacing
(c) As sober and serene
(d) As sleek and slender
Answer:
(a) As bold and fearless
(ii) State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE, with reference to the extract. (1)
The tigers are describes as having a green colour.
Answer:
False
(iii) Fill in the blank with reference to the extract. (1)
The word from the extract which means ‘to move or leap about’ is ………………. .
Answer:
‘prance’
(iv) The fact that Aunt Jennifer is creating the tigers shows her. (1)
Answer:
artistic inclination/quality
(v) Identify the phrase from the extract, suggests the following. (1)
Aunt Jennifer’s tigers are not real.
Answer:
‘Prance across the screen’
(vi) Choose the option that displays the same poetic device as used in the last line of the extract. (1)
(a) As cunning as a fox
(b) Tiger tiger burning bright
(c) Life is a ride
(d) Accurate estimate of the work
Answer:
(b) Tiger tiger burning bright
OR
B. “Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.” (Keeping Quiet)
(i) What do the given lines tell us about mankind? (1)
(a) Materialistism
(b) Greed
(c) Selfish nature
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these
(ii) What does the poet expect of the fisherman? (1)
Answer:
The poet expects that the fisherman does not harm any sea creatures.
(iii) What figure of speech has been used in the first line of the stanza or in words ‘Cold Sea’? (1)
(a) Metaphor
(b) Personification
(c) Transferred epithet
(d) Simile
Answer:
(c) Transferred epithet
(iv) State whether the given statement is True and False. (1)
The selfish nature of man is leading to environmental degradation.
Answer:
True
(v) How is ‘keeping guiet’ going to help the man who works as ‘salt gatherer’? (1)
Answer:
By ‘keeping quiet’, the ‘salt gatherer’ will get time to take care of his wounded hands.
(vi) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
The tone of the poet in the given lines is ………………. .
Answer:
optimistic
Question 8.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. (4)
A. My elder brother was there. I told him the story in all its comic detail. I fell about with laughter at the memory of a big man and an elder at that, making such a game out of carrying the parcel. But Annan was not amused. Annan told me the man wasn’t being funny when he carried the package like that. He said everybody believed that they were upper caste and therefore, must not touch us.
(We Too are Human Beings- Memories of Childhood)
(i) What problem has been highlighted in the given extract? (1)
Answer:
The problem of caste system is highlighted in the given extract.
(ii) The story referred to in the extract is about (1)
(a) the puppet show she had seen
(b) the way in which the old man was carrying the parcel
(c) the things that she had seen on her way home
(d) the monkey show she had encountered
Answer:
(b) the way in which the old man was carrying the parcel.
(iii) ‘Making such a game’ means ………………… . (1)
Answer:
making it entertaining
(iv) Why was Annan not amused? (1)
Answer:
Annan was not amused upon hearing Bama’s tale because of the seriousness as well as in appropriateness of the situation.
OR
B. Now, I don’t know why this should have happened to me. I’m just an ordinary guy named Charley, thirty-one years old and I was wearing a tan gabardine suit and a straw hat with a fancy band; I passed a dozen men who looked just like me. And I wasn’t trying to escape from anything; I just wanted to get home to Louisa, my wife. (The Third Level)
(i) When did ‘this’ incident take place? (1)
(a) While he was going to visit his father
(b) While he was going to work
(c) While he was going to his psychiatrist friend
(d) While he was returning late from work
Answer:
(d) While he was returning late from work
(ii) Complete the sentence appropriately.
The given lines show that the narrator, Charley ……………. . (1)
Answer:
wanted to lead a normal life with his wife
(iii) Why does the narrator say that he was not trying to escape from anything? (1)
Answer:
The narrator says that he was not trying to escape from anything because his psychiatrist friend told him he was trying to escape the stress of the modern world.
(iv) What does ‘this’ refer to? (1)
Answer:
‘This’ refers to seeing the non-existent third level.
Question 9.
Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ANY ONE of the two given. (6) A. Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds-one of the family, caught in a web of poverty, burdened by the stigma of caste in which they are born in; the other a vicious circle of the sahukars, the middlemen, the policemen, the keepers of law, the bureaucrates and the politicians. Together they have imposed the baggage on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father. To do anything else would mean to dare. And daring is not part of his growing up. When I sense a flash of it in Mukesh I am cheered. “I want to be a motor mechanic,” he repeats. He will go to a garage and learn. But the garage is a long way from his home. “I will walk,” he insists. “Do you also dream of flying a plane?” He is suddenly silent. “No,” he says, staring at the ground. (Lost Spring)
(i) How is Firozabad divided into two distinct worlds? (1)
Answer:
Firozabad is divided into two distinct worlds of those who are exploited and those who exploit.
(ii) Select the correct option to fill in the blank. (1)
The role of Sahukars is ……………. .
(a) to establish the bangle industry
(b) to lend money at low rate of interest
(c) to share the burden of the working class
(d) to lend money at higher rate of interest
Answer:
(d) to lend money at higher rate of interest
(iii) Identify the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that children in Firozabad are bound to accept their family tradition. (1)
Answer:
‘Before he is aware he accepts it as naturally as his father’ is the textual clue that allows the reader to infer that children in Firozabad are bound to accept their family profession.
(iv) What do the given lines tell us about Mukesh? (1)
Answer:
The given lines tell us that Mukesh is different from all other people of Firozabad. He dares to dream to become a mechanic and not enter the bangle making industry.
(v) Complete the sentence with an appropriate explanation. (1)
The writer finds ……………… .
Answer:
hope in Mukesh .
(vi) Based on the extract, choose the statement that is TRUE. (1)
(a) Parents encourage their children to dare.
(b) The writer become sad when Mukesh tells her about his dream.
(c) The politicians and middlemen are helpful towards the people of Firozabad.
(d) Mukesh does not want to become a pilot.
Answer:
(d) Mukesh does not want to become a pilot.
OR
B. Tiny vestiges of the old terror would return. But now I could frown and say to that terror, ‘Trying to scare me, eh? Well, here’s to you! Look!’ And off I’d go for another length of the pool. This went on until July. But I was still not satisfied. I was not sure that all the terror had left. So, I went to Lake Wentworth in New Hampshire, dived off a dock at Triggs Island and swam two miles across the lake to Stamp Act Island. I swam the crawl, breast stroke, side stroke and back stroke. Only once did the terror return. When I was in the middle of the lake, I put my face under and saw nothing but bottomless water. The old sensation returned in miniature. (Deep Water)
(i) Why did Douglas go to swim at Lake Wentworth? (l)
Answer:
Douglas went to swim at Lake Wentworth to know for sure that he had overcome his fear of drowning in water.
(ii) Select the option that lists the correct inference based on the information in the extract. (1)
(a) Triggs Island and Stamp Act Island are both located in Lake Wentworth.
(b) Lake Wentworth is a part of Triggs island.
(c) Stamp Act Island is two miles away from New Hampshire.
(d) Lake Wentworth is connected via docks to New Hampshire.
Answer:
(a) Triggs Island and Stamp Act Island are located in Lake Wentworth.
(iii) How did Douglas handle the ‘old sensation’? (1)
(a) Addressed it
(b) Avoided it
(c) Submitted to it
(d) Stayed indifferent to it
Answer:
(a) Addressed it
(iv) Rationalise to support the given opinion. (1)
Douglas was a sincere and dedicated person.
Answer:
The given statement is true because it is with sincerity, dedication and practice, Douglas had become an expert swimmer with no fear of water.
(v) What was the reason for ‘ return of terror’? (1)
Answer:
The terror returned because of his prior drawing experience.
(vi) Complete the sentence appropriately. (1)
Douglas mentions that the old sensation returned in miniature. He means that he felt the familiar feeling of fear …………………. .
Answer:
on a small scale.
Question 10.
Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in about 40 – 50 words. (5 × 2 = 10)
(i) Give reasons to justify why the poet associates ‘grandeur’ with the ‘mighty dead’.
(A Thing of Beauty) (2)
Answer:
‘Grandeur’ is associated with the ‘mighty dead’ because of the grand deeds and achievements of our ancestors. Their achievements made their lives extraordinary. Therefore, the grandeur of the mighty dead is a thing of beauty that is a source of inspiration for all others.
(ii) Why didn’t the ‘polished traffic’ stop at the roadside stand? (The Roadside Stand) (2)
Answer:
The city people who passed by the roadside stand, labelled as ‘polished traffic’ by the poet, did not stop at the roadside stand as they were self-centered and their minds were restless with greed for money and ambitions for great profits in their business.
(iii) Subbu was charitable and improvident, yet he had enemies. Why? (Poets and Pancakes) (2)
Answer:
Subbu’s good qualities were overlooked as his desire to please the boss, the key to his success, made him seem like a sycophant. His noncritical attitude was misconstrued as cleverness. So, he had enemies such as the office boy, all of whom blamed him for their failure in life.
(iv) The pain of separation is expressed both literally and metaphorically in My Mother at Sixty-Six. Elucidate. (2)
Answer:
The pain of separation in ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ is one of physical separation since the poet was leaving her mother in Cochin while catching the flight. The metaphorical separation is one that the
poet fears. She fears an eternal separation from her mother because of her death.
(v) Seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learnings of life. Comment on the statement with reference to the chapter Deep Water. (2)
Answer:
It is true that seemingly small everyday wins are actually the greatest learnings of life. This is true for Douglas when he was learning how to swim with the help of the instructor. The instructor took very small steps in teaching Douglas how to swim. Gradually, these small steps turned Douglas into a successful swimmer.
(vi) How does Eco find the time to write so much? (2)
Answer:
Umberto Eco values time; in fact, he values each and every second. He utilises even the ‘interstices’ i.e., the empty spaces or gaps between any two pieces of literature written by him. Most of us ignore this time but Umberto Eco uses it in a productive manner. Thus, he has found time to write a large number of works.
Question 11.
Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in about 40-50 words. (2 × 2 = 4)
(i) How is Derry we meet at the beginning different from the Derry at the end? (On the Face of it) (2)
Answer:
Derry in the beginning of the play ‘On the Face of it’ is a withdrawn and defiant child. He is filled with negativity and is miserable as well as pitiable. But by the end of the play, we find a positive change in him. The meeting with Mr. Lamb has given him a new direction and purpose of life. He is now free from his old complexities.
(ii) Throw light on the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier. (The Enemy) (2)
Answer:
It was simply the General’s self absorption that directed his attitude in the matter of the enemy soldier. He was only worried about his health problem which only Dr. Sadao could solve. So, he could not afford to lose the doctor. Hence, even though he promised to get rid of the enemy soldier he completely forgot about it.
(iii) Answer the question in the context of the following lines from The Tiger King.
At midnight when the town slept in peace, the dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. When they reached the forest the tiger launched its Satyagraha and refused to get out of the car.
Why did the dewan decide to give up on his own tiger to be killed by the Maharaja? (2)
Answer:
The Maharaja refused to leave the forest until he had killed the last tiger. Many officers lost their jobs and the dewan feared that he too might lose his job. So, to save his job, the dewan decided to give up the tiger he had hidden.
Question 12.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120 – 150 words.
A. Your teacher had made the statement- The Rattrap is both entertaining and philosophical.
You, having read the story, understood the meaning. However, your classmates have not understood it. They ask you to explain the meaning of the statement to them. Make a write up for the same. (5)
OR
B. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.’ This is what John Keats says in the poem. Do you think in the present times of acute stress and violence, proximity to beautiful things can lead man to everlasting happiness? Discuss.
Answer:
A. The story, The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and philosophical. Generous use of dialogue by the
author, as well as by the various characters belonging to different mindsets and locations, make the story quite entertaining. There is also an element of suspense that the author man ages to keep up to the end with an underlying touch of irony. The peddler first thinks that he has been trapped in the ‘Rpttrap’ signified by the world.
Later on, he is able to get out of the ‘Rattrap’ by reforming his character when he returns the stolen money. While all the above events make the story entertaining, there is also an element of philosophy in the story. The peddler’s theory of the world being a rattrap is true. The world does offer us so many temptations that we are sure to fall into its trap some day. While some people fall into this trap never to come out of it again, the fortunate ones like the peddler manage to break free from the cycle of temptations. With the help of kind and compassionate people like Edla, they discover their latent goodness, which has been hidden so far. Thus, the philosophy of the story is that, as human beings, we are not above temptation, but we can overcome it with some help.
OR
B. A thing of beauty gives us permanent happiness. When we look at objects of beauty, we feel happy and the lasting impression that such objects leave on our mind continues to give us pleasure even when they are no longer in our sight. In the present times of acute stress and fears, the objects of beauty attain even greater significance. When our mind is anxious and troubled, the very sight of beautiful things often comes as a relief and provides us comfort and happiness for the moment.
Appreciating beautiful things is like appreciating God, who has bestowed them upon mankind as a gift so that we can derive happiness and solace from them. Proximity to beautiful things brings us closer to the Creator, in whom lies the ultimate power to grant us relief from all anxieties and troubles. Therefore, it is sure to bring everlasting happiness at all times.
Question 13.
Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in about 120 – 150 words.
A. The astrologers predict, “The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions …….. “. In contrast to the above statement, the Tiger King’s death is an anticlimax. Comment. (5)
OR
B. Do you think Dr. Sadao’s final decision was the best possible one in the circumstances? Why/ Why not? Explain with reference to the story, The Enemy.
Answer:
A. When the Tiger King was bom, the astrologers predicted that the Tiger King would be valiant and courageous but “the child born under this star will one day have to meet its death.” When the Tiger King grew up and got to know of this prophecy, he set out on a tiger hunt. From that day onwards, the tigers in the kingdom were under threat from the king himself. Just to disprove the prophecy and to prove himself powerful, the Maharaja started his ruthless slaughter of tigers.
The irony was that the Maharaja, who had bravely fought and killed ninety-nine tigers, lost his life because of a wooden inanimate tiger which he had brought as a birthday present for his son. A small splinter of wood from the crude toy injured him and infected his entire arm, which led to his untimely death. Thus, the hundredth tiger avenged the death of all the other tigers. It was, undoubtedly, a trick of fate and the cruelty of the Maharaja that led to such an anticlimax.
OR
B. When Dr. Sadao came across the prisoner of war, the first thing he did was to save his life. As a doctor, he fulfilled the moral and ethical obligation of saving a human life. Next, he proved himself loyal to his country by informing the General about the enemy soldier. When the General assured Sadao of sending private assassins to eliminate the American, Dr. Sadao felt restless and guilty of betraying the same person whose life he had saved.
After spending three sleepless nights waiting for the assassins who never came, he finally worked out a plan to let Tom, the American prisoner of war, escape. By letting him escape, Dr. Sadao proves that even if two countries are at war, the religion of humanity does not change. Its basic principle is saving a human life, which Sadao does with success. In a way, Dr. Sadao echoes the author’s views against war and the hatred that it generates between man and man. Through Dr. Sadao, the author conveys the message of universal brotherhood, peace and amity. It is the best solution to the problem.