D.A.V.

CENTENARY PUBLIC SCHOOL, PANIPAT

PRACTICE SAMPLE PAPER-1

ENGLISH

CLASS-XII

Time-3 Hours M.M.100

SECTION- A

(READING) ( 30 Marks)

1.Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. (12 marks)

Today, etiquette is not seen as the conventional code of behaviour and interaction within a household
or society, nor is it limited to table manners and dinning etiquettes. Instead, etiquette is seen as a
qualifying characteristic in a person to be socially pleasing and is considered to be an important part of
one’s personality as etiquettes reflect grooming and finesse.

Etiquettes play a very important role after marriage, when everyone notices every act of yours. Etiquette
is dependent on culture; what is excellent etiquette in one society may shock another. Etiquette evolves
within culture. Etiquette can vary widely between different cultures and nations. For example, in Hausa
culture, eating while standing may be seen as offensively casual and ill-omened behavior, insulting the
host and showing a lack of respect for food—the offense is known as "eating with the devil" or
"committing santi". In China, a person who takes the last item of food from a common plate or bowl
without first offering it to others at the table may be seen as a glutton who is insulting the host's
generosity. Traditionally, if guests do not have leftover food in front of them at the end of a meal, it is to
the dishonour of the host. In America a guest is expected to eat all of the food given to him, as a
compliment to the quality of the cooking. However, it is still considered polite to offer food from a
common plate or bowl to others at the table. Making sound while eating is generally considered ill-
mannered; however, in Japan slurping while eating or drinking is a sign of appreciating the food, and not
doing so might be considered a lack of etiquette. In such rigid hierarchical cultures as Korea and Japan,
alcohol helps to break down the strict social barrier between classes. It allows for a tint of informality to
creep in. It is traditional for host and guest to take turns filling each other's cups and encouraging each
other to gulp it down. For someone who does not consume alcohol (except for religious reasons), it can
be difficult escaping the ritual of the social drink.

Etiquette may be wielded as a social weapon. The outward adoption of the superficial mannerisms of an
in-group, in the interests of social advancement rather than a concern for others, is considered by many
a form of snobbery, lacking in virtue.

Social norms are described by sociologist as being laws that govern society’s behaviors. Although these
norms are not considered to be formal laws within society all the time, they still work to promote a
great deal of social control. Social norms can be enforced formally (e.g., through sanctions) or informally
(e.g., through body language and non-verbal communication cues). If people do not follow these norms
then they become labelled as deviants and this can lead to them being considered the outcast of
society. It is important to note that what is considered “normal” is relative to the location of the culture
in which the social interaction is taking place. As social beings, individuals learn when and where it is
appropriate to say certain things, to use certain words, to discuss certain topics or wear certain clothes,
and when it is not. Thus, knowledge about cultural norms is important for impressions, which is an
individual's regulation of their nonverbal behavior. One also comes to know through experience what
types of people he/she can and cannot discuss certain topics with or wear certain types of dress around.
Typically, this knowledge is derived through experience (i.e. social norms are learned through social
interaction). An example of the need to polish his or her behavior would be when people go to a job
interview in the white collar work force and dress properly in order to give a great first impression so
that they get the job.

Questions:

(a)

(i) What makes etiquette so important today? [1]

(ii) What personality traits does etiquette inculcate? [2]
(iii) How do the Chinese, Americans and Japanese differ in their table etiquette? [2]
(iv) What ‘ritual of the social drink’ is mentioned in the passage? [2]
(v) How does a person learn etiquettes? [2]

(b) Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: [1X3 = 3]

(i) Having a social order or system ranked one above the other (Para 4)
(ii) Behaviour that shows pride in social position and wealth and contempt for the poor (Para 5)
(iii) Different from the normal social norm (Para 6)

2.Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. [10]

Even for those who don't have to write in English, writing can be a great way of learning
vocabulary they need, and of preventing grammar mistakes. The problem most people have is
that they don't know what to write about. One traditional way to make sure that one writes every
day in English is to write a diary, and a more up to date way of doing this is to write a blog.
Popular topics include the language learning experience, the experience during studies or
activities of the day, the local area where one lives, the people with whom one interacts, the
things that one likes or dislikes.
Another daily writing task that can work for people who would be bored by writing about their
own routines in a diary is to write about the news that they read and listen to everyday. If one
includes one’s predictions about the way a news story may develop in future (e.g. "I think that
the Prime Minister will be re-elected."), this can give you a good reason to read old stories, and
opportunity to improve on your assumption, predictions and, of course, your writing.

Writing reviews on the books you have read or the movies you have watched is another
motivating and easy way to write. You can write a review for a site like Amazon or Internet
Movie Database. Many non-native speakers write their reviews on such sites. You can make
your writing interesting and popular by exhibiting your understanding of the book or movie
using the standard structures of English and by being imaginative and creative.

Some websites offer a weekly or even a daily short English lesson which is sent to your email
account. If your email is accessible by your mobile phone you can read it on the way to work or
school. It should, however, be used as a revision of your English studies rather than as a
replacement of something that you or your teacher has chosen more carefully as a learning
module.

Listening to English songs is another way of learning English as it will make you used to the
natural rhythm and tone of the language and enrich your vocabulary. Now-a-days, audio books (a
novel read by an actor) and speech radio are available on the Internet which can be downloaded
for free. They are a great efficient way of learning English. The sources like Scientific American,
BBC and Australia's ABC Radio can be searched and downloaded. You can listen to them while
performing your daily chores like cooking, cleaning, etc. They actually need to be listened to
very frequently and with proper attention. Listening to the same stuff again and again helps to
understand and assimilate it better. Songs, rhymes and lyrics are the well recognized way of
memorising and retaining the learnt words, expressions and sentences.

Here it is advisable that one should try to get a print of the listening material from the Net and
place it before their eyes while listening. Once you have read and understood the lyrics, if you
then listen and read at the same time, it will prove to be a still better way of understanding how
sounds change in fast, natural informal speech.

The next stage after understanding and memorising a song is obviously to sing it. Although some
words have their pronunciation changed completely to fit in with a song, most of the words have
the same sounds and stressed syllables as in normal speech. Remembering which words rhyme at
the end of each line can also be a good way of starting to learn English pronunciation.

Reading is yet another way of improving one’s English. The websites like MSN, Yahoo and
Google provide enough quality reading material. They also give you a wider choice of sites
where you can read a desired piece —news, story, article, information, anything.

Questions:

(a)
 (i) Why should one begin to learn English by writing? [1]

(ii) What all can one write in a diary? [2]

(iii) What makes writing interesting? [2]
(iv) What precaution should be used while using a lesson sent to one’s e-mail account? [2]

(b) Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following: (1X3 =
3)

(i) Approachable, attainable (Para 1)

(ii) To keep from occurring, averting (Para 2)
(iii) Absorb in the mind or the body (Para 5)

3. Read the following passage and answer the following questions: (8 marks)

Raychandbhai's commercial transactions covered hundreds of thousands. He was a connoisseur

of pearls and diamonds. No knotty business problem was too difficult for him. But all these
things were not the centre round which his life revolved. That centre was the passion to see God
face to face. Amongst the things on his business table there were invariably to be found some
religious book and his diary. The moment he finished his business he opened the religious book
or the diary. Much of his published writings are a reproduction from this diary. The man who,
immediately on finishing his talk about weighty business transaction, began to write about the
hidden things of the spirit could evidently not be a businessman at all, but a real seeker after
Truth. And I saw him thus absorbed in godly pursuits in the midst of business, not once or twice,
but very often. I never saw him lose his state of equipoise. There was no business or other selfish
tie that bound him to me, and yet I enjoyed the closest association with him. I was but a brief-
less barrister then, and yet whenever I saw him he would engage me in conversation of a
seriously religious nature. Though I was then groping and could not be said to have any serious
interest in religious discussion, still I found his talk of absorbing interest. I have since met many
a religious leader or teacher. I have tried to meet the heads of various faiths, and I must say that
no one else has ever made on me the impression that Raychandbhai did. His words went straight
home to me. His intellect compelled as great a regard from me as his moral earnestness, and deep
down in me was the conviction that he would never willingly lead me astray and would always
confide to me his innermost thoughts. In my moments of spiritual crisis, therefore, he was my
refuge.

And yet in spite of this regard for him I could not enthrone him in my heart as my Guru. The
throne has remained vacant and my search still continues.

(An extract taken from the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi The Story of My Experiments
with Truth)
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and sub-
headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. (5)

(b) Write a summary of the above passage in 80 words, using the notes made and also suggest a
suitable title. (3)

SECTION-B (Writing) (30 marks)

4.As the secretary of your society ‘Govindpuri’. Write a notice to be pasted on the public notice
board informing the residents about the repair of electric wires which will lead to six hours cut in
electric supply. Use only 50 words giving necessary details. (4)

Or

You are running modern optical aids showroom cum workshop. Prepare a display advertisement
to attract the customers.

5. Write a letter to the editor of the Navbharat times expressing your views about the corrupt
practice of the good schools admitting the students endlessly thus overcrowding the classes. You
are Manish chabra a social worker of Faridabad.(6)

Or
Captain jagdeesh memorial school is planning an excursion to Nainital. You are Vijay pratap,

secretary of student`s forum .Write a letter to the manager, Shiv shakti transport CO. karnal

asking for quotation . Give your all details like passengers, duration of the tour and visiting

places.

QUES.6 - You feel very strongly to find that the modern generation

knows little about our freedom fighters and the religious leaders. They are also leaving their

Indian culture keeping the moral values aside. Write a speech to be delivered in morning
assembly making your fellow students realize their duty towards nation and the pleasure of

“selfless service” . You are Abhilash of XII. (10)

OR

Students are the pillars of a nation. They should be built strongly .They are the nation. Write an

article in about 150-200 words discouraging them to go abroad for money.

QUES.7- Over reaction of media has contributed a lot in making the school children arrogant and

weak in studies. Write an article giving your views on mild punishment as a correct measure for

making discipline in the schools. You are Jitender punia, write this article in about 200 words for

“The Hindustan Times”. (10)

OR

Old age pension is necessary for some but not for all. Write a debate for or against this statement

in about 200 words.

SECTION-C (LITERATURE AND LONG READING TEXT) (40 marks)

QUES.8- Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow : (4 marks)
Unless,governor,inspector,visitor

This map becomes their window and there windows

That shut upon their lives like catacombs.

(a) why has the poet mentioned the people of various positions in this stanza ?

(b) what purpose does the map serve to the slum children?

(c) what will happen if these windows are shut ?

(d) what message does the poem convey?

OR

Now we will count to twelve

And we will all keep still.

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.

(a) who does the poet address this poem to ?

( b) what does the poet want us to do? Why?

(c) why does he say,’let’s not speak in any language?

(d) what is the symbolic meaning of ‘arms’ here?

QUES9 Answer the following question in 40 to50 words each: (do any four) (3*4=12)

a) Why was there a crowd in front of the bulletin –board at the town hall?

b) Why can’t the bangle-makers of Firozabad organize themselves into a co-operative?

c) How did Douglas develop an aversion to water?

d) Why was Edla more dejected than usual when she drove back from church the next morning

after the early Christmas service?

e) “Buried somewhere in Jackson, was a tiny core of compassion.” Why does the author make

this comment? Justify it.

f) Does Lamb’s physical disability have any negative effect on him? How do you know?

QUES10 Answer the following question in 120 to 150 words: (6 marks)

How were the peasants of champaran exploited by English Landlords? How did Gandhi help

them?

OR

‘Saheb and Mukesh are brothers in penury and suffering’. Explain.

QUES11 Answer the following question in 125 to 150 words: (6 marks)

What happened to the prophecy of the royal astrologer? Was it proved right or not? Explain.

OR

Describe Zitkala-Sa’s experience on her first day in the land of apples.

Q12- Answer the following question in about 125-150 words. (6 marks)

(a) How was the invisible man caught at last?

Q13- Answer the following question in about 125-150 words. (6 marks)

(a) Narrate the incident of burglary at the vicar`s house? (the invisible man)