SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER- 2

ENGLISH CORE
CLASS XII
TIME ALLOWED 3 Hrs MAXIMUM MARKS: 80
General Instructions
1. The question paper contains Three Sections –Reading, Writing and Literature
2. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part

SECTION A – READING (22 MARKS) Marks

I Read the passage given below– 12
1. With nearly one in six elementary school teachers not professionally trained,
India must improve its spending on teacher training--just 2% of the 2018-19 budget
allocated for Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (‘holistic education programme’) was spent
on teachers’ training institutes. The projected budget allocation for the programme
for 2019-20 is estimated to be Rs 34,489 crore, an increase of 10.5% from the 2018-
19 budget estimate, according to a medium-term expenditure projection
statement presented to parliament in August 2018.
2. Launched in 2018 by combining Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (‘education for all’),
Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (‘national middle education mission’) and
teachers’ education programmes, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan aims to provide
support for both pre-service and in-service teacher training.
3. Teacher training is imperative for improving learning outcomes in Indian
classrooms, as acknowledged by the Three Years Action Agenda of the government
think-tank NITI Aayog, as well as in the 2018 budget speech that emphasised on the
need for professionally qualified teachers for school education reform.
Only half of 10- to 11-year-olds in India can read a grade II level text (appropriate
for seven- to eight-year-olds), as IndiaSpend reported on January 25, 2019. In rural
India, almost half of grade V students cannot read a grade II text and more than
70% them cannot carry out simple division.
4. A common feature across the Indian education system is shortage of qualified
teachers. Section 23 of the Right to Education Act of 2009 (RTE Act) mandates that
all government school teachers should possess minimum qualifications laid down
by the National Council of Teacher [Link] guidelines released in
November 2010, those not qualified were given time until March 31, 2015, to
complete their training. Yet, in 2015-16, of 6.6 million teachers employed at the
elementary level, 1.1 million were untrained. Of these, 512,000 were in government
and aided schools and 598,000 in private schools.
5. At the secondary school level, of 2 million teachers, around 14% were not
professionally qualified, according to data from the education ministry.
Large proportions of untrained teachers--both at the elementary and the secondary
level--exist in West Bengal (40.8%), Bihar (36.6%), Jharkhand (16.5%), Uttar
Pradesh (13.2%) and Chhattisgarh (10.5%).
Source: www. [Link]
1. The hike of budget allocation of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan from the year 2018 -
2019 to the year 2019-2020 was 1

a. 15%
b. 10.5%
c. 2%
d. 1%

2. According to the survey by India Spend, what is the percentage of grade 5

students who could not carry out simple division? 1

a. more than 30
b. more than 70
c. more than 75
d. more than 50

3. From the given extract you can infer that the reading competency of the children
in India is 1

a. Poor
b. Excellent
c. Not up to the mark
d. Not apt to their grade

4. A nationwide problem in the system of education is – 1

a. Lack of resources
b. Shortage of qualified teachers
c. Shortage of teachers
d. Shortage of schools

5. What is the correct increasing order of the percentage of untrained teachers in

various States?
a. West Bengal, Bihar Jharkhand, Uttarpradesh , Chattisgarh
b. Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh , Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal
c. Uttarpradesh , Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal
 d. Chattisgarh, Uttarpradesh , Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar

6. Make a comparative study of the year 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 in relation to

the teacher's training shown in the graph 2

7. During 2015-2016 private schools had more trained teachers than the
government and aided schools. As per your reading of the extract the above said
statement is –

a. True
b. False
c. Not mentioned in the passage
d. Beyond inference

8. Program Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan aims to…… 2

9. According to the graph, in which year the government expenditure on teacher’s
training was the highest? 1
10. From the above passage find the word which means ‘makes it compulsory’
(para 4) 1

II Read the passage given below and answer the questions given below 1X10=10
There is no field of human endeavour that has been so misunderstood as health.
While health which connotes well-being and the absence of illness has a low
profile, it is illness representing the failure of health which virtually monopolizes
attention because of the fear of pain, disability and death.
Even Sushruta has warned that this provides the medical practitioner power over the
patient which could be misused. Till recently, patients had implicit faith in their
physician whom they loved and respected, not only for his knowledge but also in
the total belief that practitioners of this noble profession, guided by ethics, always
placed the patient’s interest above all other considerations. This rich interpersonal
relationship between the physician, patient and family has, barring a few
exceptions, prevailed till the recent past, for caring was considered as important as
curing.
Our indigenous systems of medicine like ayurveda and yoga have been more
concerned with the promotion of the health of both the body and mind and with
maintaining a harmonious relationship not just with fellow-beings but with nature
itself, of which man is an integral part. Healthy practices like cleanliness, proper
diet, exercise and meditation are part of our culture which sustains people even in
the prevailing conditions of poverty in rural India and in the unhygienic urban
slums. These systems consider disease as an aberration resulting from disturbance
of the equilibrium of health, which must be corrected by gentle restoration of this
balance through proper diet, medicines and the establishment of mental peace. They
also teach the graceful acceptance of old age with its infirmities resulting from the
normal degenerative process as well as of death which is inevitable.
This is in marked contrast to the western concept of life as a constant struggle
against disease, ageing and death which must be fought and conquered with the
knowledge and technology derived from their science: a science which, with its
quantifying approach, has provided us the understanding of the microbial causes of
communicable diseases and provided highly effective technology for their
prevention, treatment and control. This can rightly be claimed as the greatest
contribution of western medicine and justifiably termed as ‘high’ technology.
And yet the contribution of this science in the field of non-communicable diseases
is remarkably poor despite the far greater inputs in research and treatment for the
problems of ageing like cancer, heart diseases, paralytic strokes and arthritis which
are the major problems of affluent societies today.

1. Which of the following has been described as the most outstanding benefits of
modern medicine?
(A) The real cause and ways of control of communicable diseases
(B) Evolution of the concept of harmony between man and nature
(C) Special techniques for fighting ageing

a. Only B and C
b. Only A and B
c. Only A
d. Only B

2. In India traditionally the doctors were being guided mainly by which of the
following?
a. High technology
b. Good knowledge
c. Professional ethics
d. Power over patient

3. What caution have proponents of indigenous systems sounded against medical

practitioners?
a. Their undue concern for the health of the person.
b. Their emphasis on research on non-communicable diseases.
c. Their emphasis on curing illness rather than preventive health measures.
d. Their emphasis on restoring health for affluent members of the society.

4. Why has the field of health not been understood properly?

a. Difficulty in understanding distinction between health and illness.
b. Confusion between views of indigenous and western system.
c. Highly advanced technology being used by the professionals.
d. Not given in the passage.

5. Which of the following pairs are mentioned as ‘contrast’ in the passage?

a. Western concept of life and science.
b. Technology and science.
c. Western physician and western-educated Indian physician.
d. Indian and western concepts of life.

6. The author seems to suggest that

a. we should give importance to improving the health rather than curing of
illness.
b. we should move towards becoming an affluent society.
c. ayurveda is superior to yoga.
d. good interpersonal relationship but not sufficient.

7. Choose the word which is an antonym of the word ‘CONCERNED’.

a. Diluted
b. Liberated
c. Indifferent
d. Divested
 8. Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning to ‘CONNOTES’
a. Helps
b. Cures
c. Follows
d. Implies

9. In which field of health and medicine has the contribution of science been quite
poor?
10. Name any one indigenous field of Indian medicine.

III SECTION B – CREATIVE WRITING SECTION (18 MARKS)

i. Answer any One of the following in 50 words. 4

You are Rahul /Rashmi. As President of the Literary Club of your school; you have
decided to organise an Inter-School Debate Competition on the occasion of the
Silver Jubilee Celebrations of your school. Write a notice in about 50 words,
informing the students of your school about the competition giving necessary
details.
OR

Your school is organising an Educational Excursion to Jaipur during the summer

vacation. Write a notice giving detailed information to the students. You are
Madhav/Madhavi, School Pupil Leader, St. Paul’s Senior Secondary School, Ajmer.
(Word limit: 50 words)
ii. Answer any One of the following in 50 words. 4

Neerja Modi, School, Jodhpur, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in the month of
December. The program is expected to last a week. To this, invite Sh. Gaj Singh,
His Highness Jodhpur to precede over the occasion of the closing day programme.
You are Ms. Sukanya, Principal.
OR
You are Raman of L-8, Basant Vihar Colony, Bikaner. You decided to organise a
small get together of your close friends before leaving for Germany for your new
job. Write an invitation for the same.
iii. Answer any One of the following in 120-150 words. 5

During rainy season you face a lot of inconvenience on road due to water logging
and potholes in your area. This leads to traffic jams, accidents and other mishaps.
You are concerned about it and annoyed due to the negligence of authorities
towards the problem. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper highlighting the
problem and suggest the need to improve the condition of road. You are Vinay /
Vaishnavi, a student of Tagore Public School, Delhi.
OR
You are Sharman/ Shravani, a resident of A-1, Ashadeep Apartments, Jagatpura,
Jaipur. You came across the following advertisement on [Link]. You feel
that you are competent for the job. Write a letter in about 120-150 words applying
for the job.
Situation Vacant
Adbite is hiring dynamic young minds who are looking for opportunities to
launch their career in the dynamic Ad-tech Industry. The candidate may any UG
or PG but must be fluent in English with good analytical and communication
skills, having keen interest in Internet advertising and Digital Marketing.
 Preference will be given to candidates with Digital Marketing or Mass
Communication certifications Work opportunity in a leading US-based company.
Handsome salary and other attractive perks and benefits. Apply to Digital
Marketing Manager, Adbite, Indore with resume.
iv. Answer any One of the following in 120-150 words. 5

You observed an unprecedented success of Indian players at Tokyo Olympics and

Commonwealth Games. Taking it as a source of motivation, write an article to
encourage students to take up career in sports with a special mentioning of benefits
of games and sports in our lives.
OR
As a newspaper reporter of a renowned newspaper, write a report on massive fire
you witnessed at Anaj Mandi, Delhi. You may use the given clues-
-date, time and location
-cause of the fire
-damage caused to life and property
-rescue work undertaken
-investigation by police
-opinions of the eye-witnesses
-compensation given
SECTION C - LITERATURE SECTION (40 MARKS)
IV. Reference to the Context
Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow (Any One) 6x1=6

i. While greedy good-doers, beneficent beasts of prey,

Swarm over their lives enforcing benefits
That are calculated to soothe them out of their wits,
And by teaching them how to sleep they sleep all day,
Destroy their sleeping at night the ancient way.
[Link] are the greedy good-doers?
a. the government
b. old people
c. the rural people
d. the polished city folk

2. What is the intention of the beasts of prey?

a. to fulfil their self-interests and to dupe simple people
b. to be well dressed and well fed
c. to attack smaller birds and feed themselves
d. all these

3. ‘beneficent beast’ is an example of

a. alliteration
b. oxymoron
c. metaphor
d. all of the above

4. The image created in the first two lines of the extract is of..................
5. ‘the ancient way’ here means........................
6. Write a phrase from the extract which means ‘being insensible’

OR
 If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.

[Link] does man ‘threaten’ himself with?

a. death
b. birth
c. robbery
d. suicide

[Link] poet uses conversational style and personal pronouns as “we” because

a. he wants to be intimate with mankind

b. he tries to reach out to the readers
c. he wants to establish contact easily
d. third person is ineffective

[Link] is the rhyming scheme used in the poem?

a. Enclosed rhyme
b. Monorhyme
c. Sonnet
d. Free verse

4. What is the sadness that the poet speaks about?

I. of not realising the self

II. of being unsafe as mortal being
III. of moving in life
IV. of great achievements in life

a. I and IV
b. I and III
c. I and II
d. II and III

5 According to the poet we all have unanimous opinion about..................

6 The antidote to the sadness can be..............................
ii. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow (Any One) 4x1=4
The note is signed Sam.
At the stamp and coin store I go to, I found out that Sam bought eight hundred
dollars’ worth of old-style currency. That ought to set him up in a nice little hay,
feed and grain business; he always said that’s what he really wished he could do,
and he certainly can’t go back to his old business.

[Link] did the narrator get the ‘Note’?

a. In his Mail box

b. In a First Day Cover
c. In his grandfather’s will
 d. In his attic

2. Why could Sam not continue his old business in 1894?

a. He had no money to set up his business in the past

b. His license expired and he didn’t renew it
c. Psychiatrists were not needed in that peaceful era
d. Psychiatrists were not given any respect in the society

3. The reason why Sam purchased eight hundred dollars’ worth of old-style
currency
was .........................................
4. To whom was the note addressed?

OR

It was at this moment that both of them saw something black come out of the mists.
It was a man. He flung up of the ocean - flung. It seemed, to his feet by a breaker.
He staggered a few steps, his body outlined against the mist, his arms above his
head. Then the curled mists hid him again.

1. Who is the 'man' referred here?

a. The white man

b. Japanese soldier
c. Japanese prisoner
d. None of the above

2. The sky as per the extract was

a. foggy and unclear

b. sunny and clear
c. cloudy and rainy
d. starry and calm

3. The reading of this extracts arouses reader’s.................. (anxiety/curiosity/anger)

4. Find a word from the passage which can be replaced with ‘walked unsteadily’.

iii. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow (Any One) 6x1=6
“She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?’ said little Derek, hanging on
the back of his father’s chair. Their mother sighed. Sophie watched her back
stooped over the sink and wondered at the incongruity of the delicate bow which
fastened her apron strings. The delicate-seeming bow and the crooked back. The
evening had already blacked in the windows and the small room was steamy from
the stove and cluttered with the heavy-breathing man in his vest at the table and the
dirty washing piled up in the corner. Sophie felt a tightening in her throat. She went
to look for
her brother Geoff.

1. Choose the correct option about Sophie’s parents based on the extract given
above.

a. Sophie’s parents’ marriage was an example of harmony and affection.

 b. Sophie’s relationship with her parents was warm and friendly.
c. Sophie’s mother was subdued while her father was detached.
d. Sophie and her brother didn’t like to stay with their parents.

2. Choose the option that supports the contention coming through Derek’s dialogue,
“She thinks money grows on trees, don’t she, Dad?”.

a. Derek thought his sister to be unreasonable at times.

b. Derek had no faith in Sophie’s abilities to open a boutique.
c. Derek thought of his sister as someone who was not realistic.
d. Derek was not at all happy about Sophie’s habit of day dreaming.

3. “Sophie felt a tightening in her throat.” Pick the option that lists Sophie’s
feelings in this context.
1) anxious
2) annoyed
3) uneasy
4) terrified

a. Options 1 & 3
b. Options 2 & 3
c. Options 1 & 4
d. Options 2 & 4

4. From the reading of the extract it can be inferred that the socio-economic
condition
of the family is………………
5 The ‘heavy breathing man’ was Sophie’s………………………..
6 Find a word in the extract which means ‘being inappropriate for a particular
situation’.

OR
On the roof the pigeons cooed very low, and I thought to myself, “Will they make
them sing in German, even the pigeons?” whenever I looked up from my writing, I
saw M. Hamel sitting motionless in his chair and gazing first at one thing, then at
another, as if he wanted to fix in his mind just how everything looked in that little
school-room. Fancy! For forty years he had been there in the same place, with his
garden outside the window and his class in front of him, just like that.

[Link] thinks - “Will they make them sing in German- even the pigeons?” What
could this mean?

a. German would use brutal force over everyone

b. harsh orders will be passed
c. the people cannot be deprived of their essence
d. the Germans will rob France of its language

2. What does M. Hamel's motionless posture reflect?

a. The school is dismissed forever

b. Sense of finality
c. Changing order of life
d. Feeling nostalgic
 3. What made Franz forget about M. Hamel's ruler and crankiness?

a. Strange quietness prevailing in the school

b. Encroachment of Prussian soldiers drilling and marching
c. He did not take his mother tongue seriously
d. Thought of M. Hamel leaving forever

4. What is the tone of the speaker in the first line?

a. Full of pleasure
b. Full of displeasure
c. Full of rage
d. Full of contentment

5. “For forty years he had been there in the same place” Which place is hinted here?
6. Find a word from the extract which means ‘Imagine’.
V Answer any FIVE of the following questions in 40-50 words 5x2=10
1. Why does the narrator look outside? What does she perceive? (My Mother
at Sixty-six)
2. Describe Mukesh as an ambitious person.
3. ‘The tigers represent Aunt Jennifer’s spirit and her hands represent her
reality.’ How?
4. What impression do you get of Douglas from the essay?
5. What made the Lieutenant Governor drop the case against Gandhiji?
6. How did the legal advisor behave illegally in the instance of the actress?
VI Answer any TWO of the following questions in 40-50 words 2x2=4
1. ‘How did the Tiger King celebrate his victory over the killing of the 100th
tiger?
2. How does Lamb try to remove the baseless fears of Derry?
3. What was it that Bama found funny about the village elder walking with the
food packet?
VII Answer any ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words 1x5=5
‘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.
OR
In spite of their benefits, interviews are generally disliked by most celebrities who
see themselves as their victims. Discuss.
VII Answer any ONE of the following questions in 120-150 words 1x5=5
I
Describe how Zitkala tried in vain to save her hair from being cut. Why did she
want to save her hair?
OR

What is the significance of the title` Journey to the End of the Earth’?