Page 1 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

Sample Paper 11 (Solved)

Class XII Exam 2023-24
English Core (301)
Time Allowed : 3 Hrs. Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions:
1. The Question Paper contains THREE sections READING, WRITING and LITERATURE.
2. Attempt question based on specific instructions for each part.

SECTION A-READING SKILLS 22 sadly, our eyes are not designed to cope with these
screens. Continuous staring at the monitors reduces
Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passages blinking, causes strain to the eyes and can lead to dry
eyes as well. Therefore, it is always better to take a
1. Read the following text. 12 break of 10 minutes every hour and look at distant
1. For lasting and clear eyesight, eyes need care in the objects such as the landscapes or even television.
form of preventive measures, a continuous life-long 5. Glaucoma or raised pressure in eyes and diabetic
exercise. Eyes don’t just see, they do the talking. This retinopathy are silent killers of eyesight. Therefore,
is why of all our senses the most precious is eyesight. checking eyes once every six months is essential. If
Eyes need care in the form of prevention, and knowing afflicted with diabetes, diet, exercise and drugs are to
some preventive methods in eye care can make your be remembered in that order to keep the doctor away.
eyes look bright and healthy and leave you with
excellent eyesight. 6. Around the age of 40, more or less everybody requires
reading glasses, a condition known as presbyopia. But
2. How do we keep eyes bright and healthy? Eat good now you can get rid of these glasses as well, with
helpings of vegetables, fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, beta lasers called INTRACOR and SUPRACOR. One can
carotenes with vitamins A, C and E, enjoy good sleep develop cataract- defined as the loss of transparency
and avoid direct sunlight. Therefore, good habits and in the natural lens of the eye-at any age, but it usually
good general health care does play a major role in eye strikes in old age. It’s treated by replacing the opaque
care. Eyes are windows to the human body; while you lens with an artificial lens called the intraocular lens.
look out through this window, we, the eye doctors, can The latest incataract removal techniques is called
look in to find conditions such as glaucoma, abnormal femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery, which
blood pressures, diabetes, heart diseases and other is blade-free, hands-free and makes the operation
health concerns much before you notice its adverse precise, safe and accurate.
impact, and help you take preventive measures.
7. That said, eye care is, inevitably, a continuous exercise
3. It is never too early to begin eye checkups. Throw through life.
a torchlight from different directions and look for
fixation in newborns and, if in doubt, take the baby Answer the following questions, based on the passage
to an eye specialist. By the time a child is four, it is above.
imperative to have a check up every year to look for
i. Select the option that may become a preventive
squint, signs of opacity brought in by cataracts and
measure for eyes as given in paragraph 1.
minus or plus powers to decide whether or not glasses
are needed. Ultraviolet- protective sunglasses from (a) Eyes need care and continuous life-long exercises.
childhood can help protect eyes from the harmful UV (b) Eyes need Vitamin C as a preventive measure.
rays. Once in the teens, contact lenses can be worn (c) Eyes are designed to cope up with screens.
in place of glasses, but never sleep with them on as (d) Eat good amount of vegetables.
they reduce the supply of air and blood to the cornea


Ans : (a) Eyes need care and continuous life-long
and can damage eyes. When in 20s, you can get rid of
exercises.
glasses with lasers, Lasik or permanent contact lenses.
4. An emerging and alarming trend is the Computer Eye
Syndrome, which appears to be catching on in early
adult life. We cannot escape the use of computers but,
Page 2 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

ii. What is the significance of eyes as windows to human eyes. When in 20s, you can get rid of glasses with
body? lasers, Lasik or permanent contact lenses.
(a) Eye doctors find out major health problems while
vii. In the line, ‘That said, eye care is, inevitably, a
seeing in our eyes.
continuous exercise through life’, the word `inevitably’
(b) Eye doctors also look at this window. refers to whom?
(c) Eye doctors find various health conditions such as

Ans :
glaucoma, etc. The word ‘inevitably’ refers to ‘necessarily’
(d) Eyes are windows to human health.
viii. How does the following impact our eyes?


Ans : (a) Eye doctors find out major health problems
‘Monitors are bad for our eyes.’
while seeing in our eyes.
Answer in about 40 words.
iii. Share evidence from the text, in about 40 words, to

Ans :
support the view that the Computer Eye Syndrome is Continuous staring at the monitors reduces blinking,
an alarming trend. causes strain to the eyes and can lead to dry eyes as


Ans : well. Therefore, it is always better to take a break
Computer Eye Syndrome is an alarming trend that of 10 minutes every hour and look at distant objects
appears to be catching on in adult life. Our eyes cannot such as the landscapes or even television.
escape the use of computers’ continuous staring at the
ix. Read five statements (1) to (5) given below.
screen. It causes strain to the eyes and leads to dry
eyes as well. (1) Eyes don’t just see, they do the talking.
(2) It is never too early to begin eye checkups.
iv. Complete the sentence appropriately with a (3) Once in the teens, contact lenses can be worn in
characteristic or description. place of glasses, but never sleep with them on as
Eating good amount of vegetables, fruits, omega-3 they reduce the supply of air and blood to the
fatty acids, beta carotenes with vitamins A, C and cornea and can damage eyes.
E, enjoy good sleep and avoid direct sunlight helps (4) Glaucoma or raised pressure in eyes and diabetic
_____.
retinopathy are silent killers of eyesight.


Ans : (5) Around the age of 20, more or less everybody
eyes to be bright and healthy requires reading glasses, a condition known as
v. Select the option that is similar in meaning to presbyopia.
‘grievously affected especially by disease’ from Identify the option that displays the statement that
paragraph 5. DOES NOT correspond with the occurrence in the
given passage.
(a) blink
(a) Only (1)
(b) inevitably
(b) (1) and (2)
(c) intelligently
(c) (3) and (4)
(d) afflicted
(d) Only (5)


Ans : (d) afflicted


Ans : (d) Only (5)

2. Read the following text. 10

1. A number of citizens suffer from a variety of diseases
that can be linked to tobacco addiction. In a recent
check-up camp organised by the Cancer Patients
Aid Association (CPAA), 830 street children were
examined and the following grim picture was
vi. Explain in about 40 words, why “...contact lenses can established
be worn in place of glasses, but never sleep with them • All the boys, young and old, smoked ganja.
on”. • Girls consumed supari or burnt tobacco powder.


Ans : • ‘Solutions’ or ‘white ink’ or ‘erasing fluids’ are
Contact lenses can be worn in place of glasses, but also inhaled by these children to get a ‘high’
never sleep with them on because they reduce the • These substances are easily accessible, legal and
supply of air and blood to the cornea and can damage cost a mere ` 2.
Page 3 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

But this trend is not only confined to any particular

segment of society. According to doctors, consumption
of gutkha and smoking is quite rampant amongst
children from higher income groups.
2. According to CPAA officials, consumption of gutkha
has gone up considerably in the last few years. Since
there is no restriction on the advertisements of this
product, even during Ganesh festivals, companies
producing gutkha sponsor events and display huge
ads.
Answer the following questions, based on given passage.
3. Over 50% of the people screened so far are addicted
to tobacco. The most common form of tobacco use i. Do you think that putting a stop on manipulative
is gutkha and chewing tobacco. Gutkha is being advertising regarding tobacco can help in reducing its
consumed by people of all ages, upto 22 times a day. consumption? Support your answer with reference to
4 million people die every year due to tobacco related text in about 40 words.
causes. Unparalleled expansion of tobacco production

Ans :
and its aggressive and unrestricted promotion, Yes, I think that putting a stop on manipulative
especially in our country, confirms the fears that by advertising regarding tobacco can help in reducing
the year 2030, approximately 10 million people will tobacco. This is so because it is the manipulative
die every year of tobacco related causes. advertising that attracts many people towards it. By
4. Even though governments are now recognising and putting a stop on it, we can ensure that more people
accepting the fact that tobacco harms their economies are not afflicted by tobacco addiction.
and kills their countrymen prematurely, not all
governments are able to or want to introduce strong ii. Which of the following assumptions does the passage
effective legislation and contribute in other ways to negate?
tobacco control. (a) Consumption of tobacco is considered illegal
(b) Consumption of tobacco is limited to only lower
income families
(c) With the ban of tobacco, its consumption has
5. More and more young smokers are being recruited decreased
into the ranks of the tobacco habituated by deceptive
(d) Tobacco consumption is rampant in only males
and manipulative advertising. Though the industry
claims that use of tobacco is a decision made by

Ans : (b) Consumption of tobacco is limited to only
informed individuals, the true picture is that today’s lower income families
youth is making an uninformed choice when it comes iii. According to the CPAA, what is main cause of
to tobacco consumption. increasing consumption of Gutkha?
6. This is because the promotion of tobacco by the (a) Lack of restrictions on its consumption
industry hides the truth about the effects of tobacco (b) Lack of restriction on its production
and goes to great lengths to make tobacco use seem to
be the key to a healthy, happy, social life. (c) Lack of restrictions on its advertisements
(d) Lack of economic stability in the poor groups
7. Cancer patients Aid association (CPAA) in its survey
gave the following information :

Ans : (c) Lack of restrictions on its advertisements
• Children between ages of 7 and 8 smoked bidis. iv. Based on the reading of the text, complete the
• The youngest smoker was 6 years old. following statement.
• 87 children had already acquired pre-cancerous As a part of manipulative advertising, youngsters are
lesions. made to believe that tobacco is _____.
• Over 50% of people are addicted to tabacco. (a) a key to happy and healthy life
• 4 million people die every year due to tabacco (b) a key to a reclusive life
realted causes. (c) a symbol of higher status
• By the year 2030, approximately 10 million people


Ans : (a) a key to happy and healthy life
will die every year of tabacco related causes.
Page 4 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

v. How are people attracted towards tobacco?

Ans :

Ans :
People are attracted towards tobacco through XYZ School
deceptive advertisements that show that tobacco
NOTICE
consumption is good for a healthy life.
10 September 20xx
vi. Complete the sentence approximately with one/two Trekking Tour
words.
The government knows the effects of tobacco This is to inform the students of classes IX to XI
consumption but it does not _____ its consumption. that the school Adventure Club are organising a


Ans : trekking tour in the Uttarkashi ranges.
restrict Those interested in trekking in the October holidays
may please note the following :
vii. State TRUE or FALSE. Charges : 5000 per person
The promotion of tobacco by the industry reveals the Dates : 10th to 17th October
ill-effects of tobacco consumption. Trek to : Uttarkashi


Ans : Names to be given to the undersigned by 20
FALSE. September. For further information, please contact
tour incharge Mr. Anurudh on 756836xxxx
viii. Based on the theoretical reading of the text, state two
points to challenge the given statement in about 40 Aditi Mohan
words. (School Prefect)
Addiction of tobacco afflicts only the elder (18+)
stratum of the society.


O


Ans :
The given statement is incorrect as the report from B. You are Niti Singhal, studying at Bright Future High
CPAA posits that it is children who are most affected School, Mysuru and an active member of the school
by tobacco addiction are children between 7 and 8 sports club. Recently, your school had organized an
years who smoke bidis with the youngest being only Inter-School Cricket Championship. After the final
6 years old.
match was over, you found an unclaimed cricket kit
on your school playground and have been asked to
draft a notice to locate its owner.


Ans :

Bright Future High School

NOTICE
24 May 20xx
FOUND

An unclaimed cricket kit bag was found in the school

playground on 20 May 20XX after the recent Inter-
School Cricket Championship. The bag is black and
SECTION B- CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS 18 has several stickers and logos but no name or initials
for identification of the owner.
Note : All details presented in the questions are imaginary
The owner should kindly collect the kit from the
and created for assessment purpose. undersigned immediately.
3. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. 4 Niti Singhal
A. You are, Aditi Mohan, School Prefect. Draft a notice XI-A
for the noticeboard about a trekking holiday that Member
your school is organising, giving all necessary details Sports Club
in about 50 words and asking the interested students
to give their names.
Page 5 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

4. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 50 words. 4

Ans :

A. You are David/Disha, the Secretary of the English C-11/171 Sector 5
Literary and Cultural Society of St. Joseph’s Academy, Sagar Enclave
Agra. You have to organize an Inter-zonal extempore Sagar
competition at the +2 level. You wish to invite Dr. Madhya Pradesh
Hansa Bhogle, an eminent educationist, to preside 25 October 20xx
Dear Antriksh
over the function to be held on 15 October at 9:30
It gives me great pleasure to invite you to my home
a.m. at Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Agra. Draft an
for Diwali celebration. I know your parents have
invitation in about 50 words requesting her to come gone to Canada and you would all be alone in the
and grace the occasion. hostel. It would give me tonnes of happiness. I’m


Ans : sure you will enjoy yourself with my parents and
younger sister.
St. Joseph’s Academy Please come one day before so we can plan
Agra out how we will celebrate. Looking forward for your
Uttar Pradesh company.
9 August 20xx
Dr. Hansa Bhogle Yours affectionately
Director Rajini
Department of Education
Lucknow 5. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words. 5
Uttar Pradesh
Dear Madam, A. You are Srikhant, living at 7C-189, Ist floor, Ramjas
Subject : Invitation to preside over the Inter-zonal Colony, Muzzafarpur. Write a letter to the Editor of a
Declamation Competition newspaper about the burden of heavy bags the young
The English Literary and Cultural Society of our children carry to school.
school is going to organize an English declamation

Ans :
competition on the topic ‘Communication skills are 7C-189 1st Floor
very important in modern world’, on 21st August Ramj as Colony
20XX at 9:30 a.m. in the school auditorium. Muzzafarpur
Kindly consent to preside over the above 17 March 20xx
stated programme. The Editor
Times of India
Yours faithfully Delhi
Disha Dear Sir,
Subject : Undue burden of school bags
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper I
would like to draw the attention of the authorities
concerned to the burden of heavy school bags the
children are compelled to carry.
The burden is uncalled for as certain books are
not even taught from but the teachers insists that
child must carry everything. The load is much higher
than their physical strength and can have lasting
effect on their health. When imparting education is
not solely dependent on books and notebooks then
why to carry heavy bags.
Psychologists and NCERT have evolved games and


O methods of stress free learning without books. This
ought to be coupled with the optimum use of computers.
B. Your friend Antriksh is staying in the school hostel. Tangible changes in the technique, innovative
You wish to invite him at your house for Diwali methods of the teachers will go a long way in helping
celebration. Invite him in not more than 50 words. these little children.
Invent necessary details. Yours faithfully
Srikant
Page 6 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

O 6. Attempt ANY ONE of two, in about 120-150 words. 5

B. Draft an application for the post of an accountant A. Deepak/Deepa has been involved as a student
in Gurukul Public School that was advertised in the volunteer in the ‘Adult Literacy Drive’ and has been
Times of India. Also, include your biodata. You are working in the slums for the last six months. He/She
Anil/Anita. has to write an article in about 120-150 words on the


Ans : ‘Need for a Literate Nation’.
87 Tandon Road

Ans :
Sipri Bazar
Need for a Literate Nation
Jhansi
By Deepak
13 May 20xx
The Principal There are no two views about the fact that if a
Gurukul Public School nation has to grow exponentially the one and the
Jhansi City only requirement is the literacy rate. Literacy is not
Dear Sir, something that should be a choice it has to be the
Subject : Application for the post of Accountant necessity and nation’s priority. It is the only tool to
This is with reference to your advertisement in ‘The fight backwardness and poverty.
Time of India’ dated 10 May for the post working of The well-known lawyer, Nani Palkiwala also
an accountant. mentioned that if a nation has to progress it needs to
Presently I am working at St. Joseph School, be literate. If one decides to put a check on population,
Mission Compound, Jhansi, where I have been working then also literacy is needed. Visit to the slums
for the last 2 years. I fulfil all the requirements laid reiterates this view all the more. Increasing number of
down by your esteemed organisation, hence would like children does not mean more working hands it means
to offer my candidature. more mouths to feed. This has to be explained and it
I assure you if given a chance I will work with full can only be understood by a literate mind. Every now
devotion, dedication and zeal to uplift the standard and then leaderships insists on the need of literacy
of the students. I am enclosing my bio-data for your and many programmes have been initiated time and
kind consideration. again. Adult literacy programme, mid-day meal, and
free education for girls till class 10, etc. have been
Yours faithfully introduced to promote literacy in the country.
Anita We all, as aware citizens, know that nothing is
Bio-Data more important than literacy and it should be our
priority
Name : Anita Singh
Gender : Female
Father’s Name : Shri O.P. Singh

O
Data of Birth : 30th December, 19xx B. You recently attended a seminar on “Tiger Reserve:
Economic and Environmental Win-Win” at India
Marital Status : Unmarried
International Centre, New Delhi. Write a report on
Current Add. : 87, Tandon Road, Sipri the same in about 120-150 words for your school
Bazar, Jhansi magazine. You are Rohan Pandey, Secretary, Cultural
Contact No. : 772351xxxx Club, Doon School, Dehradun.
Languages known : Hindi, English

Ans :
Tiger Reserve: Economic and
Educational Qualifications
• B.Com (Hons), MD University, Rohatak Environmental Win-Win
By Rohan Pandey
Work Experience
• Have worked for two years in Rajat Pvt. Ltd. The headline in a recent PTI report, “Saving two tigers
gives more value than Mangalyan” was intriguing,
References since it said that saving two tigers yields a capital
• Sh. B.K. Singh benefit of 2520 crore while Mangalyaan cost 2450
CMO, Civil Hospital crore. The heading was exciting and hurtful. Putting
• Rajat Sharma a price on nature and commodifying it may hurt our
Manager, Rajat Pvt. Ltd.
Page 7 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

sensibilities. On the other hand, the speakers pointed v. The poet says that we wreath a flowery band that
out that an economic analysis of the above topic helps binds us to Earth.
in determining the quality of goods such as fuel, wood He means to state that nature’s beauty fills man with
and fodder that can be allowed for extraction by local _____.
communities. The analysis also highlights why such

Ans :
“large” areas are reserved for preserving fierce animals a spirit of living
like the tiger, when we need more land for human use.
What is the total amount of land set apart for the 18 vi. What makes our life full of inhuman dearth?
ranges as tiger reserves? It is 68,000 sq. km, which is

Ans :
about 2% of the area of India-set apart for the nation’s According to the poet, we ourselves make our lives full
pride animal. The six reserves-Corbett, Kanha, of inhuman dearth due to our selfish and self-centered
Kaziranga, Periyar, Ranthambore, Sundarbans-house nature.
many other endangered animals such as the elephant,


O
rhino, langur, barasingha, mongoose, river dolphin,
oliver ridley turtle, crocodile-not to speak of the B. Driving from my parent’s
millions of herbs, plants and trees. home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother
SECTION C- LITERATURE 40 beside me
doze, open mouthed, her face
7. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for ashen like that
ANY ONE of the two, given. 6 of a corpse and realized with
A. Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing pain
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth, that she thought away, and
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth looked but soon...
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days, (My Mother at Sixty-Six)
Of all the unhealthy and o’er darkened ways i. What is the speaker’s emotional state when looking at
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all, her mother?
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall (a) Empathetic and understanding
From our dark spirits.
(b) Fearful and apprehensive
(A Thing of Beauty)
(c) Nostalgic and longing
i. Pick the option that enumerates what ‘noble natures’
(d) Confused and disoriented
would include.


Ans : (b) Fearful and apprehensive
(a) Selflessness (b) Judiciousness
(c) Enthusiasm (d) All of these


Ans : (d) All of these

ii. Pick the phrase from the extract that suggests that
human life in full of hardships.


Ans :
The phrase ‘unhealthy and o’er darkened ways’
suggests the given expression.
ii. Where is the poetess going when she said, “home to
iii. State TRUE or FALSE. Cochin last Friday”?
The Earth without the beautiful things is a place full


Ans :
of despair and unpleasantness.
Cochin


Ans :
TRUE. iii. Select the word that WILL NOT complete the
sentence appropriately.
iv. Which of the following poetic devices has been used in The theme of the given extract is _____.
‘of noble natures’ ?
(a) fear of separation (b) aging
(a) Assonance (b) Imagery
(c) stolen childhood (d) fear of loss
(c) Paradox (d) Alliteration


Ans : (c) stolen childhood


Ans : (d) Alliteration
Page 8 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

iv. State whether the given statement is TRUE or ii. What are the fundamental differences between Derry’s
FALSE. and Mr Lamb’s understanding of the world and life?
The poetic device used in the line, ‘ashen like that of These are:
a corpse’ is the same as the one used in the line, “O (a) Derry: introvert; Mr Lamb: extrovert
my Luve is like a red, red rose”. (b) Derry: nervous; Mr Lamb: domineering


Ans :
(c) Derry: self-pity; Mr Lamb: accepting
TRUE.
(d) Derry: unseeing; Mr Lamb: appreciative
v. What message do these lines highlight, in the context

Ans : (d) Derry: unseeing; Mr Lamb: appreciative
of familial relationships, and the speaker’s sense of
anxiety and fear at the prospect of losing her mother? iii. How is Derry’s tone when he says, “We’re not the


Ans : same?”
The message in these lines highlights that one day,

Ans :
everything that has blossomed will wither. Life will depressed
age and consequently come to an end. The poet iv. Why does Mr Lamb emphasise the importance of
notices how her mother’s radiance had worn out with weeds? What is the idea behind it?
age.

Ans :
vi. Complete the sentence appropriately. Just like flowers and weeds are all plants similarly,
The phrase ‘that of a corpse’ means that she has lost whole and disabled humans are all living beings
her _____ and _____. of same species, i.e. people. It all depends on the
perception of the onlooker.


Ans :
shine and strength

O
B. Sadao knew that his education was his father’s chief
concern. For this reason he had been sent at twenty-
two to America to learn all that could be learned of
surgery and medicine. He had come back at thirty
and before his father died he had seen Sadao become
famous not only as a surgeon but as a scientist.
Because he was perfecting a discovery which would
8. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for render wounds entirely clean, he had not been sent
ANY ONE of the two, given. 4 abroad with the troops. Also, he knew, there was
A. MR LAMB : Rubbish? Look, boy, look.... what do you some slight danger that the old General might need
see? an operation for a condition for which he was now
DERRY : Just....grass and stuff Weeds. being treated medically and for this possibility Sadao
MR LAMB : Some call them weeds. If you like, was being kept in Japan.
then.... a weed garden, that. There’s fruit and there (The Enemy)
are flowers, and trees and herbs. All sorts. But over i. What role does Sadao’s father in Sadao’s life?
there.... weeds. I grow weeds there. Why is one green,

Ans :
growing plant called a weed and another ‘flower’ ? Sado’s father played an important role in Sadao’s life.
Where’s the difference? It’s all life.... growing. Same He was very concerned about his education and thus,
as you and me. made sure that Sadao received good education.
DERRY : We’re not the same.
MR LAMB : I’m old. You’re young. You’ve got ii. Choose the correct option that best describes Sadao
a burned face, I’ve got a tin leg. Not important. as a perfect son.
You’re standing there.... I’m sitting here. Where’s the (a) Sadao went to America as desired by his father.
difference? (b) Sadao returned to Japan before his father’s death.
(On The Face of It) (c) Sadao gained fame as a doctor as well as scientist
i. Why does Mr Lamb draw Derry’s attention and stress while his father was alive.
on ‘looking? (d) Sadao stayed with his father and did not go


Ans : abroad with the troops.
Mr Lamb wants Derry to open his eyes and appreciate

Ans : (a) Sadao went to America as desired by his
the beauty of the world around him. father.
Page 9 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

iii. Complete the sentence appropriately. vi. Which of the following headlines best suggests the
Sadao was a famous surgeon and _____. central idea of the extract?


Ans : (a) The passion of children
scientist (b) The web of poverty
iv. For how many years did Sadao study in America? (c) The desire of adults


Ans : (d) The happiness of children
Sadao stayed in America for eight years.

Ans : (b) The web of poverty

9. Read the given extracts and answer the questions for

O

ANY ONE of the two, given. 6 B. This settlement was adopted unanimously by the
A. Listening to them, I see two distinct worlds-one of commission. Gandhi explained that the amount of
the family, caught in a web of poverty, burdened by the refund was less important than the fact that the
the stigma of caste in which they are born; The other landlords had been obliged to surrender part of the
a vicious circle of the sahukars, the middleman, the money and, with it, part of their prestige. Therefore,
policemen the keepers of law, the bureaucrats and the as far as the peasants were concerned, the planters
politicians. Together they have imposed the baggage had behaved as lords above the law. Now the peasant
on the child that he cannot put down. Before he is saw that he had rights and defenders. He learned
aware, he accepts it as naturally as his father. To do courage.
anything else would mean to dare. And daring is not (Indigo)
part of his growing up. i. Why is it that the big planters agreed to pay the
(Lost Spring) refund to small farmers?
i. List any two details about two distinct worlds.

Ans :
This could be because the big planters agreed to pay


Ans :
the refund to small farmers this could because their
(i) The web of poverty, burdened by the stigma of
illegal extortion was revealed.
caste.
(ii) The vicious circle of the sahukars, the middlemen, ii. Replace the underlined word with its antonym from
the bureaucrats, the policemen, politicians, etc. the extract.
The party has now abandoned its policy of free trade.
ii. “...The other vicious circle of Sahukasrs...” In this line (a) Adopted (b) Obliged
‘vicious circle’ refers to _____.
(c) Defenders (d) Concerned
(a) passing the occupation to next generation


Ans : (a) Adopted
(b) trap made by moneylenders for workers
(c) carrying the tradition of family iii. What did the peasants learn from this incident?
(d) none of these

Ans :


Ans : (b) trap made by moneylenders for workers The peasants learnt to be courageous from this
incident.
iii. Complete the sentence appropriately.
Ironically, millions of children have lost _____.


Ans :
their spring
iv. As per the settlement, how much was to be refunded.
iv. Pick evidence from the extract that helps one infer (a) 50% (b) 75%
that the baggage has been imposed on the children. (c) 25% (d) 20%


Ans :

Ans : (c) 25%
The burden of family and the vicious circle of the
heavyweight of the society on their guardian show v. Why does Gandhiji accept only that per cent of
that baggage has been imposed on their children. settlement?


Ans :
v. How does the child accept the burden? Gandhiji accepts only that per cent of settlement


Ans : because to him the dispelling of fear was more
The child accepts the burden as naturally as his father. important.
Page 10 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

vi. Complete the sentence appropriately. v. What three things in school surprised Franz the most
The phrase ‘lords above the law’ in the extract means that day?
_____. (The Last Lesson)


Ans :

Ans :
someone who does not have to obey the law First, M. Hamel had put on his Sunday best clothes:
his beautiful green coat, frilled shirt and black silk
10. Answer ANY FIVE of the following six questions, in cap. Secondly, the whole school seemed solemm and
about 40-50 words. 5 # 2 = 10 strange and thirdly the old villagers sat like kids on
i. Why are the bangle makers unable to organize the back benches to study.
themselves into a cooperative? vi. Why are the young trees described as sprinting?
(Lost Spring) (My Mother at Sixty-Six)


Ans :

Ans :
Indebted to middlemen, like their fathers, the bangle The trees have been described as sprinting because
makers have no independent breakaway source. When looking out of the speeding car in which she was
attempts to organize them are made, they become driving with her mother the trees seemed to be
easy targets for police atrocities during outbreaks of running. The poet presents a contrast - her dozing old
resistance. Seeped in utter poverty, they are forced mother and the young running trees.
to drag their children into this circle of poverty,
indebtedness and subjugation. 11. Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions,
ii. Describe the boy who had thrown Douglas in water. in about 40-50 words. 2#2 = 4
What was his reaction later? i. Did the servants support Dr. Sadao in his mission to
(Deep Water) save the American? Why/Why not?


Ans : (The Enemy)
The 18-year-old teenager had thrown Douglas into the

Ans :
pool when he was at the swimming pool alone. He No, the servants didn’t support Dr Sadao. They
was big, had a good physique with muscular arms went away for fear of being caught for helping an
and legs. After he had rescued Douglas from near enemy. They were critical of Dr Sadao’s sheltering
drowning, he casually explained his bullying act as the enemy. They tried their best to send the white
‘fooling’ and carried him to the locker room. man away.

ii. Why was Zitkala-Sa in tears on the first day in the

land of apples?
(Memories of Childhood)


Ans :
Zitkala-Sa faced a lot of humiliation on her first day
at the Carlisle India School in the land of apples. Her
long hair was forcibly cut. This was undignified for
iii. Why do country people ask for money? her because as per her culture and traditions only
(A Roadside Stand) cowards or mourners had their hair shingled. Despite


Ans : her resistance, the author was tied to chair and her
The country people ask for money to improve their hair was cut. This brought tears to her eyes and broke
lives. They set up stalls on the roadside in the hope her spirit.
that they would make some money by selling goods of
daily use and make their life better, as they had seen iii. In what way does Mr Lamb inspire Derry to overcome
in movies and as had been promised by the party in his physical disability?
power. (On the Face of It)
iv. Why is Aunt Jennifer terrified?

Ans :
(Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers) Mr Lamb tells Derry that he has got two arms two


Ans : legs, and eyes and ears. He has got a tongue and a
Aunt Jennifer is terrified of the responsibilities of brain. He will get on the way he wants, like all the
married life. The old unhappy memories are still fresh rest. And if required, he can do much better than
in her mind. She had passed through many testing others.
and horrible times during her married life. So, she is
still ringed with those ordeals that dominated her life.
Page 11 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

12. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in Due to this advancement in technology and the
about 120-150 words. 5 advent of social media, the task of keeping quiet both
A. “Now I have become sad, she thought. And it is a hard may and may not be achievable depending on the way
burden to carry, this sadness. Sitting here waiting and people perceive it. People understanding the need of
knowing he will not come I can see the future and introspection and reflecting on their actions, thoughts,
how I will have to live with this burden.” Sadness is etc. can through the use of social media support and
really difficult to carry. And more difficult is to carry promote the idea of “keeping quiet”. However, on the
unfulfilled desires. After reading the above statement contrary, social media, technology and the world itself,
with reference to ‘Going Places’, how far do you feel for some people can prevent them from “keeping quiet”
that sadness and unfulfilled desires can’t be carried thus making it a fanciful idea and more complicated
for a long time? Write a paragraph in about 120-150 to achieve in nature. Therefore, people’s perception
words. towards the idea and understanding of introspection
and “keeping quiet” would be an important factor in


Ans :
determining if the task would be complicated or easy
Both sadness and unfulfilled desires are difficult to
to achieve.
carry. Their burden produces more and more sadness.
Sophie, the protagonist of the story-‘Going Places’, has 13. Answer ANY ONE of the following two questions, in
been nurturing her dreams since her childhood. She about 120-150 words. 5
dreams of becoming a fashion designer, a manager, or
A. Imagine you are an ardent environmentalist who is
an actress when she grows up. Besides, she has taken
involved in the Save the Tiger campaign. You have
a fancy for Danny Casey, a young footballer, and
been asked to deliver a speech in a seminar related
often imagines being with him. She has been telling
to your campaign and the need for the youth to be
stories regarding her imaginary meetings with Danny.
involved in such campaigns. Draft your speech.
To create twists in something which has not
(The Tiger King)
happened is really painful, as one is cheating oneself
only. Her poverty, her shattered dreams and unfulfilled

Ans :
desires are very painful as she has to carry them Ladies and gentlemen,
permanently. In real life too, if one is sad and there is I stand before you today as an ardent environmentalist
no way to mitigate this sadness, every passing moment and a passionate supporter of the Save the Tiger
adds to more and more sadness, and unfulfilled desires campaign. We are all aware of the alarming rate at
are often a source of sadness. which our natural habitats are being destroyed. Every
day, countless animal species are on the brink of
extinction, and the tiger is no exception.
The tiger is not just a majestic creature; it is an


O essential component of our ecosystem. The loss of the
B. The world has become a global village, and people tiger will have far-reaching consequences, not just on
across boundaries, nationalities and communities are the environment but also on the economy and the
now connected to one another. With the advancement well-being of our communities.
of technology, and the advent of social media, do you As young people, we have the power to make a
think that the task of keeping quiet, as envisaged difference. We have the energy, the passion, and the
by Neruda, has become easier or more complicated? creativity to effect change. We cannot afford to sit
Justify your stance. back and watch as our planet deteriorates. It is our
(Keeping Quiet) responsibility to take action and ensure that future


Ans : generations inherit a healthy planet.
World has become a global village due to transport We must work to raise awareness about the
and communication. People from all over the world importance of preserving our natural habitats. We
are linked together by means of transportation and must encourage our governments to take concrete
communication. People use communication technology actions to protect our wildlife and their habitats.
to stay mentally connected to each other even when We must work to educate our communities on the
they are not physically connected. They use various importance of conservation and sustainable living.
modes of transportation such as buses, cars, airplanes, We must act now to save the tiger and other
and ships to travel from one location to another for endangered species. Our future depends on it. Let us
business or to visit loved ones. In today’s world, social join hands in this noble cause, and together we can
media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, make a difference.
Snapchat, and others have grown into massive platforms
that connect people all over the world. Thank you.
Page 12 Sample Paper 11 (Solved) CBSE XII English-Core

O

B. There is an intersection of time and space in the story

‘The Third Level’. Imagine yourself to be Douglas,
and express your thoughts in about 120-150 words.


Ans :
Yes, there are certain instances in the story that show
an intersection of time and space. Firstly, the first two
levels of Grand Central Station were located in the
present time while the third level existed in the 1890s.
Secondly, Charley and his wife, Louisa, live in the
present time yet he rushes to get old currency but gets
two tickets to go to the Galesburg of 1894. Further,
the old architecture of the platform at the third level
is different from the modern platforms of the first two
levels. Besides the archaic manner of dressing by the
people, and the newspaper, The World, dated June
11, 1984 also overlaps with Charley’s real time world
and existence.
Lastly, the letter that was mailed to Charley’s
grandfather on 18th July, 1894 highlights the
intersection of time and space as the sender (Sam)
and receiver (Charley) belong to the present time.

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